Israel Says Thwarted Car Bomb Attack Near Jerusalem

Israeli police said on Sunday that it thwarted a car bomb attack at a checkpoint near Beitar Illit settlement, near Jerusalem, and arrested a suspect in connection with the attempted attack.



"The attack at the checkpoint has been prevented by border police," Micky Rosenfeld, Israeli police foreign press spokesman, told Anadolu Agency.



"Police bomb disposal experts confirm finding a large explosive device in the vehicle at Beitar Illit checkpoint," Rosenfeld said, noting that the driver has been arrested.



Rosenfeld said the area was closed off as police arrived at the scene, declining to give further details.



Tension continues to run high in the occupied West Bank amid Israel's devastating onslaught against the blockaded Gaza Strip.



On Friday, eight Palestinians were killed and dozens injured by Israeli gunfire during clashes between angry protesters and Israeli forces in several areas across the occupied territory.



The Israeli operation in Gaza has left at least 1060 Palestinians – mostly civilians -dead and 6300 injured.



Israel's military operation, dubbed operation "Protective Edge," is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the densely-populate Gaza Strip – which is home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.



By Turgut Alp Boyraz



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Kudüs