Scene of stabbing attack
Photo: Ido Erez
IDF raids home of Tapuach junction terrorist
Soldiers arrest six relatives of Palestinian who stabbed Sergeant-Major Ihab Khatib to death Wednesday, notify family to evacuate home ahead of demolition
Palestinian sources in the West Bank town of Jenin reported that a large IDF force raided the home of the terrorist who murdered Sergeant-Major Ihab Khatib (28) at the Tapuach junction on Wednesday. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit confirmed the report.
Soldier's Death Mourned
Arab village of Maghar mourns death of IDF soldier Ihab Khatib, murdered in West Bank Wednesday; 'Despite discrimination, we'll continue to contribute to country whose existence we pray for,' says Druze mourner
The soldier, who served as a non-commissioned officer in the Kfir Brigade, will be laid to rest Thursday at 4 pm at the military cemetery in his home village of Maghar.
According to the Palestinians, during the raid on Mohammad Khatib's home in the West Bank Palestinian village Yabed, which took place during the early hours of Thursday morning, six of his relatives were arrested, and computers were confiscated.
It was further reported that the IDF soldiers ordered the Khatib family to evacuate the home ahead of its demolition.
Yabed residents said Khatib was a well-respected officer who was affiliated with Fatah.
The terrorist reportedly served as a senior officer in the Palestinian security forces.
Israeli security officials estimated that he had acted alone. They attributed the recent rise in West Bank terror attacks to a host of reasons. Some terrorists act out of personal frustration, while others act on behalf of terror groups, said the officials.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad condemned Wednesday's stabbing attack. A statement issued by Fayyad's office said, "The Palestinian Authority will continue to take any steps necessary to prevent the reoccurrence of such incident, which goes against Palestinian national interests as well as the Palestinian Authority's efforts and the obligations it has taken upon itself."
