Arab man stares through the barrier fence separating the West Bank and Israel. Photo: wiki commons.

Two men were arrested by Israeli border police on Tuesday while trying to enter the country with explosive devices and large amounts of ammunition.  The two suspects, both Arab and in their 20’s, had come from the Palestinian Authority controlled West Bank and were handed over to Israeli security officials for questioning after the bags they were carrying were found to contain illegal weapons.

4 pipe bombs were found on the men, according to the border police.

The incident comes less than a week after 2 Palestinians were detained in the same area, after they were found to be carrying 2 pipe bombs and multiple molotov cocktails (or firebombs).  The Tapuach Junction, where both sets of terrorists were arrested, has become a frequented route for Palestinian groups attempting to smuggle weapons into Israel.  On May 7th, a teenage Palestinian boy was detained in the same area, with 3 pipe bombs in his possession.

Also on May 7th, an armed man was nabbed at the Kalandia crossing in the West Bank region, by two female IDF officers.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve caught Palestinians suspected of threatening Israeli citizens… despite the hardships, I’m very proud of my job, “Cpl. Stav of the IDF said following her involvement in stopping the man from getting into Israel.

Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank marked Nakba Day (Day of Catastrophe, marking the independence of Israel) on Tuesday with protests and riots, injuring IDF personnel as well as the Palestinians taking part in the day’s events.