Israeli soldiers shot and killed an armed Palestinian gunman on Monday, possibly preventing a major terrorist attack in a nearby Jewish town.
Soldiers spotted the terrorist in his car as he headed toward the "Green Line" that separates southern Judea from Israel's Negev region. He was less than a mile from a small Jewish settlement and not far from a Negev town that is home to a popular winery.
Army officials believe the gunman intended to infiltrate one of the Jewish towns, but instead opened fire on an army checkpoint after being spotted by soldiers.
An assault rifle, a loaded pistol and a large knife were found on his body.
The gunman's family insisted that he was simply an illegal laborer searching for work inside Israel proper.