On the eve of the terrorist prisoner exchange that will bring home kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, Arab terrorists are gaining confidence and becoming inspired to increase attacks on the road and in Israeli cities. 

In at least two locations on Highway 60 in Judea, Palestinian Authority Arabs terrorists attacked Israeli travelers.

At about 8:30 p.m. terrorists hurled a firebomb at an Israeli bus as it passed the village of El Aroub south of Bethlehem, just five minutes down the road from Gush Etzion.

No one was injured, but the bus was damaged. IDF soldiers launched a search for the attackers.

About two hours earlier, Arab attackers also hurled rocks at an Israeli bus and a private vehicle traveling with Israeli registration plates near Hevron, somewhat farther south along the same road. No injuries were reported in either attack, but both vehicles were damaged. 

Rocks and firebombs hurled at passing vehicles are intended to kill.

Last week there were a number of rock attacks in Jerusalem. Arabs hurled rocks at a bus near the Jaffa Gate in the Old City. As a result, the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a wall. Although the passengers did not sustain any physical injuries, they were traumatized and the driver was lightly wounded.

On September 23, two Arab terrorists from the Halhul area just north of Hevron hurled a rock at a vehicle driven by Asher Palmer, smashing the windshield and causing him to lose control of the car. Palmer and his infant son were killed instantly.

Just prior to tonight’s firebomb attack (Monday, October 17) Israeli soldiers had administered first aid to an Arab resident at a village next to Hevron. The troops spotted the Arab man waving his arms and calling for help, and a unit was immediately sent to assist him.

Several hours earlier in the evening, in the coastal city of Herzliya, an Israeli Jew was attacked by an Arab who stabbed him in the head and hands.

The victim was treated at the scene by medics from the Magen David Adom emergency response service, and then rushed to a nearby hospital.

A police spokesperson said the attack “appeared to have been driven by nationalist motives.”