An Israel Defense Forces soldier claimed Monday that three Arabs allegedly attempted to kidnap him from a petrol station near Jerusalem.

The IDF soldier, who claimed that he was attacked by three Arabs carrying a knife, is currently being questioned by the armed forces.

Police and security forces are searching the area around Givat Ze’ev, north of Jerusalem in search of the suspected assailants.

Over the past few weeks, IDF Central Command has been warning of a rise in attempts to capture Israeli soldiers, both due to Hamas’ efforts to regain regional prominence after a downturn in attempted terror attacks in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the Palestinians’ disappointment over the lack of progress in peace talks with Israel.

Meanwhile, the police and the Shin Bet security service are still investigating whether the murder of Christine Logan, an American tourist who was found dead near Jerusalem on Saturday night, had nationalistic motivations.

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