Cleared for publication: Nearly 12 years after the brutal lynching of two IDF reservists in Ramallah, security forces arrested two Palestinians who confessed to being actively involved in the act.

The Ramallah lynch took place on October 12, 2000, when a mob of Palestinians murdered Vadim Norzich and Yossi Avrahami, and mutilated their bodies.

The lynch occurred at the start of the al-Aqsa Intifada and despite attempts by the Palestinian Authority to erase any documentation of the brutal murders, the horrific images reached every corner of the world and sent shockwaves across Israel.

In June, security forces arrested Marwan Ibrahim Tawfik Maadi, 51, and Yasser Ibrahim Mohammed Khatab, 40. Indictments were filed in the case with the Judea Military Court on Sunday.

Two months ago, the Shin Bet, IDF and Israel Police uncovered a large-scale Hamas operation in the Ramallah and Binyamin area.

Having been convicted of involvement in the lynch, Abed el-Aziz Salha was released last October as part of the Shalit deal.

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Kassem welcomed back at home (Photo: Fadi Mansur)

Meanwhile, security prisoner Varud Kassem, who was originally meant to be included in the Shalit swap deal, has been released from prison.

Kassem, 26, served six years for involvement in a security affair.

“I didn’t believe I would get out until I left the prison,” she said. “My joy will not be complete until all security prisoners, who suffer from tough conditions, will be released.

“I expected to be released with all the other female prisoners, but sadly the Shalit deal failed us. I want to thank all those who stood by me, especially my parents, relatives and Knesset members Hanin Zoabi and Sheikh Ibrahim Sarsur.”

Hassan Shaalan contributed to this report

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