Israel Nabs Rabbi's Killer After Six-week Manhunt in West Bank
The assailant, Abed al-Hakim Asi, was apprehended in Nablus along with several other suspects. al-Hakim is an Israeli citizen who resided in Tel Aviv until recently
Israeli security forces arrested Sunday the assailant who stabbed a man to death near the Ariel settlement in the West Bank last month.
The assailant, Abed al-Hakim Asi, was apprehended in Nablus along with several other suspects in a joint operation of Shin Bet security, Israeli Defense Forces and Israeli Police.
In a video of the attack, which occured on February 5, the assailant can be seen getting out of a taxi van, crossing the road and then stabbing Rabbi Itamar Ben Gal, who was waiting for a bus. Ben Gal then flees the scene and the assailant throws his bag down on the road and continues to chase his victim.
Ben Gal ,29, was a father of four and lived in the Har Bracha settlement in the northern West Bank. He was a teacher at a yeshiva high school in Givat Smuel and the yeshiva in Har Bracha.
"The circle is complete," Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in a statment on Sunday. "Let any murderous terrorist know, we will get our hands on him and settle the score. I commend the security forces a succesful reconnaissance action."
Al-Hakim, 19, is an Israeli citizen. His mother lived in Haifa until recently and his father is a Palestinian from Nablus. Until recently, he was residing in Tel Aviv. The Haifa municipality has stated al-Hakim is known to the city's social services and was treated in its youth program for a year.
According to them, he rejected treatment plans offered to him. A municipality spokesperson said al-Hakim was a drug addict abandoned by his parents who repeatedly refused proposals for rehabilitation programs. He received several housing and rehab solutions from the city, but has terminated processes several times.
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