Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the Israeli Security Agency, Shin Bet, for its relentless contribution to the security of the Jewish State, and most recently its role in intelligence and operational activities that brought about the capture of two Palestinian suspects that were allegedly involved in the killing of IDF soldier Dvir Sorek.
During a special ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, in which certificates of excellence were awarded to Shin Bet employees, Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the secretive domestic security organization for its outstanding success-rate in both thwarting acts of terror, and apprehending perpetrators that assumed they could evade justice after harming innocent Israeli civilians. In Netanyahu’s words: “A warm thank you to all of you, the men and women of the Shin Bet [Israeli Security Agency], for your contribution to the security of Israel, first and foremost for your contribution in apprehending the murderers of Dvir Sorek, may he rest in peace. As soon as we learned the details, I said with great confidence that it would not take much time until we would lay our hands on the murderer. This is what you have done in recent years; all murderers, without exception, have been apprehended. In every case in which vicious murderers have cut down innocent Israeli lives, it has not taken much time for us to find them.”
Less than 48 hours after the body of IDF soldier Dvir Sorek was discovered near the Jewish West Bank Settlement Bloc of Gush Etzion, an extensive intelligence operation by the Shin Bet – in cooperation with IDF and Police forces – traced the location of the two Palestinian suspects in the West Bank village of Beit Kakhel, which is situated North-West of the city of Hebron. The Israeli police SWAT unit, YAMAM, was immediately deployed to the location, which led to their arrest.
Shortly thereafter, police identified the two suspects as thirty-year-old Kassem Aaraf and 24-year-old Nasser Salah. While neither had any pre-convictions, Salah was identified as an active member of the Islamist Hamas organization.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu once again voiced Israel’s gratitude to the Shin Bet for its persistent efforts to provide the country with comprehensive security, echoing an earlier statement by the IDF, which announced that the homes of the two Palestinian suspects have been mapped ahead of expected demolition. The Israeli leader said: “We mapped out the terrorists’ houses and will soon demolish them. And I want to tell you that I am proud of you, the citizens of Israel are proud of you, for your dedicated and important service you preform to ensure our country’s safety. You truly operate day-and-night for the security of our citizens. And it’s important to note that you prevent hundreds of attacks.”