Terrorists Attempt Attack on Court During Sentencing of Fogels' Murderer

A major terror attack at the Salem Military Court was prevented by IDF soldiers, just as the court was set to sentence the convicted murderer of almost all the members of a Jewish family from Samaria.

Amjad Awad, who entered the Salem Military Court with a smile on his face Monday, said he did not regret stabbing to death both parents and 3 of the 5 children of the Fogel family in their home in Itamar in March 2010.

Before the court handed down the sentence – five life sentences – two terrorists approached a checkpoint of the court carrying bags containing 11 pipe bombs, a gun, and ammunition.  The two 20 year-olds were stopped by Border and Military Police, searched, and discovered to be on their way to attack the court.

Awad was convicted of all charges against him: five counts of murder, two counts of weapons trafficking, and conspiracy to commit murder.

Awad’s cousin and partner, Hakim, was sentenced in September to five life terms for the murders of parents Udi, 36 and Ruth,35, and their children Yoav, 11, Elad, 4, and Hadas, four months.  Three of the Fogel children - eldest daughter Tamar, and boys Roi and Yishai - were not involved in the attack.  They are being raised by their grandparents.

Just eight days prior, Border Police caught 4 terrorists carrying 12 explosives, a gun, ammunition, and a commando knife.