Car bomb suspect at Beitar checkpoint being led by border police for questioning. Photo: Newsil

Israeli Border Police seize a car rigged with heavy explosives and tanks of gasoline at a checkpoint near Beitar Ilit in the West Bank on Sunday morning.

One of the policemen said the driver was acting “suspiciously,” and that he refused to turn off the engine of the car. The policeman leaned in to the vehicle to turn the ignition off himself, but the driver accelerated before he had a chance. The car dragged the policeman a few meters with his body hanging out the window until he drew his service weapon and ordered the driver to stop.

The suspect was arrested and the car was subsequently searched. In the trunk, police discovered gasoline canisters and explosives linked to a detonator. The car was neutralized and the suspect was taken in for questioning.

Attempted attacks against Jews have been occurring with more frequency in the West Bank since the beginning of Israel’s current “Operation Protective Edge.”

On Friday, suspicions of an attempted hit-and-run arose when a black Skoda driving through the Gush Etzion junction in the West Bank swerved into a group of people. One girl was taken to hospital for light injuries. A security camera documented the event.

The driver escaped from the scene, but after a few meters was stopped by security forces and claimed that he fled because he feared that he would be attacked. An official involved said that as a result of his confession, it was unclear whether the incident was intentional or an accident.

Watch a video of the Friday incident below:

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