The Facts: Police security checks in central Israel are leading to severe traffic jams. The intensive police pressence focusses on Petah Tikva, the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem road, and Ben Gurion Airport. The checks, occuring since the afternoon, involve police searching each car and asking who is inside.
The Rumors: Some Israelis are saying that a terror group captured another Israeli soldier, particularly a female soldier in the Air Force. They also claim that the police are only checking cars driving in the direction of the Gaza Strip from central Israel. Ma’an news reportedly received confirmation of the abduction from a terror group called the “Al-Quds Army.” The statement they obtained asserts that a soldier was successfully captured near the airport. Or perhaps, Israeli police received a security tip that a terrorist entered the country with a bomb.
Normal police checks involve searching vehicles heading toward central Israel, in case a terrorist entered the country from the Gaza Strip. In reference to rumors of security checks going the opposite direction, some Israelis are supporting the assertion of a kidnapped soldier.
Hamas captured IDF soldier Gilad Shilad over three years ago and recent reports indicated that Egypt-brokered negotiations could be leading to his release.
Hezbollah previously captured IDF soldiers, an event that led to the Second Lebanon War. Recently, Hezbollah and Israeli officials are exchange sharp threats against the other entity, a move that could signify increased border tensions and a potential escalation to conflict.
More details to clarify all the rumors will likely emerge later this evening.