Israeli Army Says Foiled Palestinian Suicide Bomb Attack

Israeli soldiers foiled a suicide attack Friday, arresting a Palestinian in the West Bank who had a dozen pipe bombs hidden under his coat, the army spokesperson said.

The soldiers arrested the man as he approached an army checkpoint "wearing a suspiciously large coat" in the sweltering heat, and found 12 pipe bombs strapped to his body.

The bomb disposal unit was called in and used a robot to destroy the explosives.

Israeli public radio said the security services interrogated the man, in his early 20s, to find out where he or a possible accomplice planned to detonate the bombs.

Israel has in recent years managed to thwart all attempted suicide attacks in both its territory and the West Bank.