The PA (Palestinian Authority) reportedly prevented an ISIS attack in Israel involving a female suicide bomber who was intending to blow herself up. The attacker, a female from a village near Kalkilye, was arrested two weeks ago and remains in the custody of PA security forces, Yediot Achronot reported on Sunday.

Alaa Bashir, 23, a Koran teacher in the PA, remains in custody. A senior PA official state Bashir was arrested after being enlisted into ISIS. She was set to carry an explosive belt and carry out a suicide bombing attack in a central location in Israel. According to officials, Bashir admitted to these allegations during interrogation, stating ISIS members in Syria and Gaza enlisted her via the ‘Telegram’ app. After joining, she was taught how to prepare the explosives belt.

The thwarting of the attack comes at the same time as the severe tensions between the PA and Israel due to the offsetting of Palestinian tax revenues transferred to the terrorists, and the PA’s refusal to accept the other tax funds. As a result, there was a severe economic crisis in the PA, when the security services received half of their permanent salaries for three months.

Last week it was reported that the PA had received a delegation of 10 armored vehicles transferred to them from the European Union – after Israel approved the move following pressure exerted on the defense establishment. The move came after dozens of requests by the PA to Israel on the matter, in which they demanded that Israel approve the entry of light armored vehicles for the activities of the security forces, but were rejected time after time. It is believed that the approval of the move during this period was intended to soften the criticism and frustration of the PA towards Israel.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)