Fatal Attack on Israeli Family Dispels Lone Wolf Theory

Demonstrating the fluid nature of terrorist strategy and tactics, calling the preponderance of terrorist incidents “lone wolf” attacks – terrorism by individuals who become motivated to act on their own – is apparently shifting back to more traditional use of cells to perpetuate violence against Israeli targets. The case at hand illustrating the latest shift is the assault on a father and his two children hiking in the West Bank on Friday when an explosive device went off killing the 17-year old daughter and wounding the father and brother. Investigators believe a remote-control device was detonated by terrorists with a view of the victims’ positions. The supposition is supported by what appears to be a strategic increase in attempted attacks against Israeli targets and the sophistication of those attempts. The return to the priority of terror cells doesn’t remove the threat of the lone-wolf – whom authorities typically blame for stabbing and vehicular attacks. Rather, it multiplies the threat.