Why Israel still needs Checkpoints: Potential Suicide Bombing Thwarted

A Palestinian man wearing a device with 12 pipe bombs strung together was apprehended at the Tapuach Junction near Nablus on Friday morning. The man told the soldiers he had planned to commit a suicide bombing.

Alert Israeli troops manning the checkpoint  were suspicious by the man’s heavy coat, worn on a particularly hot day.  A subsequent search revealed the explosive device.

It is not yet known whether the suspect, , a Nablus resident in his 20s was acting alone. Security forces believe that the bomber originally intended to attack the soldiers at the check point.

Israeli Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch spoke with the officers who apprehended the suspect and congratulated them. “You prevented a terror attack and saved lives,” he said. “I am proud of you and your excellent work.”

Once again, checkpoints save lives.