​(Communicated by the ISA)

The following has been cleared for publication:

The Israel Security Agency (ISA), in cooperation with the IDF and the Israel Police, on 14 February 2017, arrested Ihab Salameh Daoud Alshibat, 45, a resident of Beit Sahour and member of Fatah, on suspicion of having been involved – in recent weeks - in terrorist activities in the area around the Jewish community of Tekoa.

Findings from the ISA investigation indicate his involvement in terrorist attacks in recent weeks including throwing stones – from moving vehicles – at Israeli vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. Several of these attacks resulted in damage to the Israeli vehicles.

It was also learned that in several cases in which Israeli vehicles were not damaged, Alshibat would go back and throw stones again. In his vehicle, which was seized during his arrest, an additional stone was found which, it is believed, was intended for use in a future attack.

Stone-throwing at people and/or vehicles, especially from passing cars, constitutes a tangible risk to life and is an act of terrorism.

The ISA, IDF and Israel Police will continue to take appropriate preventive measures.