An attempt by Palestinian Authority Arab teenagers to carry out a terrorist attack on Israeli citizens was foiled late Monday afternoon by Israeli soldiers and police.

The three would-be terrorists were tracked down and arrested in the Samaria (Shomron) region, in an area between Beit Soreq and the Jewish town of Itamar.

The teens were hiding three explosive devices, and a three-inch knife.

The explosive devices were taken to a protected area and detonated by IDF sappers under controlled conditions, and the teens were handed over Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) personnel for questioning.

Earlier in the day and further south, a PA Arab was discovered to be carrying a 21-centimeter (8.2 inch) knife during a routine security search near the Judean city of Hevron. No one was injured, and the would-be terrorist was arrested.