Bombing plot crushed: 10 terror suspects caught in high-speed highway drama

Israeli security forces arrested a driver and nine passengers on Monday along Route 6 near the Ben Shemen interchange, suspecting them of involvement in an attempted terror bombing.

The arrests followed a high-speed pursuit of a vehicle that had been traveling from Jerusalem toward central Israel. Police managed to bring the car to a stop near the Kassam interchange.

Following the arrest, a police bomb technician began searching the vehicle for possible explosives.

It was cleared for publication Monday night that the Shin Bet and Israeli Police had thwarted a major attack planned by a resident of East Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The suspect, a man in his 20s from the Shuafat refugee camp, had been under investigation by the Shin Bet and Jerusalem District Central Unit for the past month.

Authorities believe the suspect was preparing to carry out several types of attacks, including placing pipe bombs at various public locations, or committing a combined stabbing and vehicular assault targeting both civilians and security forces.

He was arrested roughly a month ago, and during interrogation reportedly admitted to advanced planning, including intentions to plant bombs on the Jerusalem light rail, inside buses, or in a restaurant in southern Jerusalem. He had already acquired materials such as pipes, matchboxes, and firecrackers, which could be used to build improvised explosives.

As his plans evolved, the suspect allegedly shifted focus to a combined attack. He began taking driving lessons and purchased large knives in preparation. Investigators say he was planning to ram and stab civilians at a central bus station in Jerusalem just before Ramadan.

Security forces are continuing to investigate the involvement of the nine other passengers in the vehicle.