by Lilach Shoval
Four Palestinians arrested in Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine terror plot • One suspect worked as guard in Palestinian National Security Forces and cell planned to use weapons he could access as part of his duties with the Palestinian force.
One of the suspects worked as a guard in the Palestinian Authority Security Services. [Archive] | Photo credit: AP  |
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) has apprehended a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terrorist cell that was planning to carry out shooting attacks and abduct Israelis for use in future prisoner exchange deals, the agency announced on Monday.
Four cell members were arrested by the Shin Bet in May, in conjunction with the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Police, before they could put their plans into action. The detained suspects were recently indicted by a military court in Judea. The court ordered that the suspects remain in detention until the conclusion of legal proceedings against them.
One of the detained men is Yusef Ahmad Mahmed Alian, a 22-year-old resident of Anata, a former prisoner who worked as a guard in the Palestinian National Security Forces. The other detainees are Salem Badi Salem Dirdisani, a 40-year-old Ramallah resident, who has served several prison sentences in the past; Ahmad Mahmed Diab Shikh, a 20-year-old Anata resident who is also a former prisoner; and 22-year-old Jassan Hussam Karajeh.
The suspects planned to utilize weapons Alian had access to as part of his duties as a guard in the PA security forces, including a M-16 rifle, short Kalashnikov rifle, Jericho pistol, MP5 submachine gun, and Glock pistol. During the arrest of Dirdisani, a Kalashnikov rifle, cartridge, and box of ammunition were found at his home.
According to the ISA, the cell became operational in April and May. Cell members allegedly planned to kidnap an IDF soldier or Israeli settler to use as a bargaining chip to release Palestinian prisoners. Their ultimate goal was to secure the release of Ahmad Saadat, the PFLP leader who is imprisoned in Israel for his role in planning a number of terrorist attacks, including the murder of then-Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze'evi in 2001.
The cell also planned to conduct shooting attacks at the Maccabim and Jaba checkpoints if Palestinian prisoners died as result of a hunger strike, the ISA said.
According to the ISA, this case highlights continuing efforts by terrorist groups to kidnap Israelis to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=5478
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
No comments:
Post a Comment