Israeli police claimed this morning to have prevented a suicide bomb attack near the northern town of Beit Shean.
Two Palestinians were apprehended in a car on the outskirts of the town, police spokeswoman Aliza Azoulai said, without offering further details.
Security officials said earlier they had information that two suicide bombers armed with explosive belts were traveling toward Beit Shean. Police had fanned out across the area, and officers were stationed at schools in Beit Shean and Afula, another northern town that was considered a possible target, the officials said.
Police and rescue services had been placed on high alert around the two cities, and roadblocks were set up to check passing cars, Azoulai said.
A hundred ambulances and dozens of medics were put on call as rescue services went on the highest possible alert in the area, rescue services spokesman Yeruham Mendola said.
Israeli security forces in a high-speed chase on a major highway two weeks ago stopped a van carrying Palestinian militants and explosives they planned on using in an attack.
AP