A 17-year old Palestinian youth was arrested by Afula Police Monday morning after telling the security guard at the entrance that he was sent into the city "in order to kill Jews".

The youth, a resident of the West Bank was transferred to the Shin Bet for questioning.

He arrived at the police station around 2 am, carrying a large knife in a plastic bag. The security guard and sapper standing at the entrance to the station asked him what he was doing there.

"The boy didn't hesitate and told them he was sent to kill Jews," Superintendant Aryeh Elkobi, who heads the station's interrogation and intelligence department, told Ynet.

A quick search uncovered the knife, and the Palestinian was arrested. He told police he had been sent to Afula that evening by what police call "hostile persons". The youth had already been arrested in the past for illegally residing in Israel.

"A disaster was prevented tonight," said Elkobi. "It may be that if the boy had not been arrested, he would have succeeded in carrying out his plan."

Police believe the youth came to the police because he was afraid to performing his mission. He told officers during questioning that he had come to Israel a few days ago, and to Afula just a few hours before his arrival at the station.