WASHINGTON (JTA) — The Israeli army arrested three operatives of a Palestinian terrorist group in raids in the Nablus area.
The army said in a statement that Samer Zubahi Qasam Mabruk, a senior operative of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, as well as Daud Muhammad Abdallah Daud and Amjad Mustafa Qasam Mabruk, had been seized before dawn Wednesday. The statement said the three were involved in attacks on Israeli troops in the area.
Separately, the army said it had uncovered nearly 300 kilograms — 661 pounds — of explosive materials in West Bank raids since September.
Palestinian Authority officials say such raids undercut the ability of P.A. security forces to assert control in the area under a U.S.-backed mandate. Israeli defense officials say the raids are necessary until P.A. forces are in a position to crack down on terrorist groups.
