The Times of Israel reported yesterday that Nassim Kalibat, suspected of detonating an explosive device at the Health Ministry in the northern Israeli city of Nazareth, has been arrested in Morocco and is now awaiting extradition to Israel, per that country’s request.
Kalibat was arrested in January as a result of the incident, reported news site Walla on Sunday. Kalibat’s brother and brother-in-law were arrested back in March, 2022 as co-conspirators.
Property damage resulted from the explosion, but there were no injuries. Kalibat reportedly fled Israel the day after his accomplices were apprehended.
Security officials originally suspected that the motive for the explosion was related to pushback against senior health officials’ proactive stance on child vaccinations against Covid. Also of concern was the terrorist motivation, for which the Shin Bet security service became involved.
However, indictments subsequently filed against Kalibat’s relatives alleged that they had been summoned by a criminal organization to intimidate the Health Ministry from fulfilling its ongoing duties relating to regulating food-related business.
Since Morocco and Israel resumed relations only three years ago, the extradition area is relatively new territory for both nations. However, sources expect the extradition to go through, as the request was approved by a local Moroccan judge and has only to be finalized by Morocco’s Justice Ministry.