Tech-Savvy Hamas Cell in Judea and Samaria Busted

by Israel Hayom Staff

Israel Security Agency says it apprehended members of a Hamas cell planning to kidnap and kill a soldier, place roadside bombs and build rockets • Cell communicated with handlers in Gaza via emails • Indictments filed in military court.

Arms confiscated in IDF raids in Judea and Samaria. [archive]

The Israel Security Agency, along with the Israel Defense Forces, uncovered a Hamas cell in Judea and Samaria in January-February of this year, the ISA said in a statement Wednesday.

The cell had built a terrorist infrastructure and received instructions from their handlers in the Gaza Strip. It planned to carry out a variety of attacks against Israelis, including roadside bombs, abducting a soldier or local resident and building makeshift rockets and launching them at Israel. 

Among those arrested were Ahmed Muhammad Abu Fahida, 26, and Ahmed Yassin Shabrawi, 27. During their interrogation it was revealed that Fahida was enlisted to Hamas' military wing by a Hamas operative from Gaza after consenting to carry out armed attacks. Fahida was instructed to kidnap a soldier, take his identification card and mobile phone for the purpose of conducting prisoner swap negotiations, and then kill the soldier and bury him in a secret location. 

Fahida subsequently recruited Shabrawi, and in January 2013 the two began making plans to kidnap a soldier, and to purchase weapons and rocket-making material. The two also began to mark other potential recruits.

The connection between Hamas in Gaza and its operatives in Judea and Samaria was conducted via email and specially rigged operational phones. Fahida's Hamas handler in Gaza also considered smuggling him an encryption program with which to securely store computer files. 

According to the ISA, Fahida said during his questioning that just a few days before the cell members were arrested, they had sent a message to Gaza that within a matter of days they would be ready to carry out the attacks.

On March 10, the cell members were indicted at the Yehuda Military Court on charges of belonging and being active in an unlawful organization, conspiring premeditated murder, and conspiring to create an explosive device. The suspects are being held in custody until the conclusion of the legal proceedings against them.

Israel Hayom Staff

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=9163

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