Taibe, Israel — A Palestinian suicide bomber killed himself Wednesday and wounded two officers from Israel's Shin Bet security service when he set off his explosive upon reaching their van.
The attack took place on a road near the line between Israel and the West Bank. Palestinian security officials sources said the man had worked as a collaborator with Israel but turned on the officers.
The militant group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack and warned of more to come. The bomber was identified as Murad Abu Asal, 23.
Israel has long used Palestinian informants. Palestinians say collaborators in recent months have helped Israel single out and target suspected militants. Collaborators are sometimes killed by fellow Palestinians.
At Asal's home in Anabta, his family denied any knowledge of his alleged collaboration with Israel. Families of collaborators often have to contend with the stigma attached to having a relative considered a traitor.
"We are very surprised. We knew he had some problems, psychologically, but we never thought it would be anything like this," said Abdel Fatah, Asal's older brother.
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