Arrests in West Bank (archive photo)
Photo: AP
Hamas plot against IDF thwarted
Shin Bet arrests three Islamist group members who planted several bombs along trans-Judea highway and intended to detonate them on Israeli security forces
The Shin Bet exposed a plot by Hamas members in the Hebron area to carry out an attack against IDF forces on the trans-Judea highway between Kiryat Gat and Kiryat Arba, it was cleared for publication Thursday.
According to security sources, three Hamas members planted several explosive devices alongside the highway and intended to detonate one of the bombs in order to draw emergency services and security forces to the scene before detonating the additional bombs. One of the bombs was supposed to be activated by a cell phone.
The terrorists were arrested by IDF soldiers at the beginning of April; dozens of kilograms of explosives were found in their possession, and two of the bombs were uncovered.
The head of the Hamas cell was identified as 23-year-old Hadi Abu Aisha of Hebron, a member of a family of prominent Hamas members. Ta’ar Abu Aisha, also of Hebron, is the cousin of a Hamas militant who was killed by Israeli security forces. The third detainee was named as Sa’ad Abu Aisha.
The cell members have admitted to planning the highway attack.
