Israel Matzav

Kahane murderer arrested

The alleged murderer of Rabbi Binyamin Zev Kahane and his wife Talia HY"D, the son and daughter-in-law of Rabbi Meir Kahane HY"D, was arrested today in Ramallah. The terrorist, Khaled Shawish, head of the Tanzim in Ramallah, was arrested in a joint operation by the IDF and the General Security Services (GSS) for the December 2002 murder.

Shawish was also responsible for dozens of other attacks, including suicide bombings in Jerusalem as well as other shooting attacks on roads in the area, that left a total of five Israelis dead and dozens wounded.

Officials said that Shawish, 26, has been wanted by the IDF since 2000 and has spent most of his time in hiding near the Mukata. In 2001, Shawish was wounded during clashes with the IDF.

Security officials said that Shawish was a dominant force within the Palestinian terror infrastructure and added that his arrest was a success for IDF and the Shin Bet. He was arrested while in possession of a gun.

The Al Aksa commander - a senior officer with the Palestinian National Security Force - was also a bomb maker who taught Tanzim operatives how to manufacture explosives and explosive belts and how to lay roadside bombs. He planned to kidnap both civilians and IDF troops.

In March 2002, Shawish dispatched a suicide bomber who exploded on King George St. in Jerusalem killing three people and wounding 35. In February 2002 he dispatched a suicide bomber that wounded two people.

Too bad that the government will probably trade him in a 'prisoner exchange' sometime down the road.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:04 PM