Palestinian Terrorist Cell Kills Israeli-American Citizen

Latest Developments

A Palestinian terrorist cell carried out a series of drive-by shootings today on a desert highway in the West Bank, killing an Israeli-American motorist before fleeing. The attack on Road 90 outside Jericho prompted a second manhunt by Israeli forces, which were still trying to capture a Palestinian terrorist who had killed two Israel civilians, Hillel Yaniv, 21, and Yagel Yaniv, 19, brothers from Har Bracha in the northern West Bank, on Sunday. The attack on the Yaniv brothers triggered a revenge attack by Israelis in the nearby Palestinian village of Huwara.

Expert Analysis

“The latest shooting is the second on Road 90 in as many months — a big worry for Israel, as this usually quiet artery connects Jerusalem to its Dead Sea and Jordan Valley communities. Though Israeli forces managed to kill five Hamas terrorists in Jericho on February 6, a deadly terrorist infrastructure clearly remains.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“The revenge attack should be a wake-up call for the Netanyahu government. The fight against terrorism must be the exclusive preserve of authorized security forces. Israeli officials were quick to condemn the vigilantism. They must follow through with prosecutions.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

‘Pay-to-Slay’

The Palestinian terrorist’s family can now expect to receive from the Palestinian Authority (PA) “pay-to-slay” payments — monthly subsidies that effectively function as a terrorist welfare system. The PA rewards terrorists and their families for violence against Israelis based on a sliding scale relative to the brutality of the terror attack.

Revenge Assaults

In Sunday’s revenge attack, Palestinians said a local man was shot dead and scores of others wounded, while dozens of cars and homes were torched. Israeli police said three suspected rioters were arrested. Hoping to head off escalation, the Israel Defense Forces said it was sending four additional army battalions and two Border Police companies to the West Bank.

Related Analysis

“Israel, Palestinians Reaffirm Need to Work Together,” FDD Flash Brief

“Palestinian Terror Attack Kills Two Israelis in West Bank,” FDD Flash Brief

“Why the West Bank is in chaos,” by Jonathan Schanzer and Joe Truzman