IDF forces called up by settlement guard after he spots suspicious figure near settlement fence. Suspect transferred for investigation

IDF forces arrested overnight Friday a Palestinian man with a 14 centimeter blade in his possession, outside Elon Moreh settlements in the West Bank. The suspect was transferred for investigation.

The incident occurred around 1am on Friday, when the settlement guard spotted a suspicious figure walking near the fence and called up Kfir Brigade soldiers, who arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect.

It is still unclear whether the man was planning to carry out a terror attack, or break into the settlement to steal property.

Following the incident, the settlement raised its alert level and urged residents to remain in their houses. Additional forces were deployed at the scene and combed the area for more suspects.

Samaria Regional Council Head Gershon Mesika lauded security forces for acting swiftly and preventing what could have been a grave incident.

Mesika also cautioned authorities, saying that "the Israeli government must give the IDF all the tools necessary to battle terrorism and thwart other attempts to carry out attacks, which stem from the anti-Semitic education given by the Palestinian Authority.

"Since removing the roadblocks, terrorists are free to smuggle arms and blades almost uninterrupted," he added. Meanwhile, Elon Moreh residents expressed concern following the incident, one resident saying "we were very lucky; this could have turned out to be ´Itamar 2´."

On Thursday, Border Guard officers arrested two Palestinians in possession of pipe bombs and knives near Tapuach Junction. The two were transferred for questioning. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 05/04/12)