Shin Bet exposes terror cell planning to kidnap Israelis
Israel Security Agency uncovers conspiracy by radical, Hamas-linked terror group 'Holy Warriors Brigades' to kidnap Israelis for the purpose of prisoner swaps
Cleared for publication: The Shin Bet has recently thwarted a terror group's attempt to abduct Israeli citizens.
According to information released Tuesday, the Israel Security Agency (ISA) foiled an attempt by a terror group calling itself the "Holy Warriors Brigades," whose members planned to kidnap Israelis and use them as a bargaining chip to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners.
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The group's operatives are from Hebron and the Gaza Strip. The ISA suspects that the operation, which was partially planned from behind prison walls, was meant to mitigate the life sentences being served by some of the terror group's members.
"The Holy Warriors Brigades" is a radical splinter group of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Fatah's military wing. It is headed by Assad Ibrahim abu Shariya, whose brother, Omar, is imprisoned in Israel.
The group reportedly receives substantial funds and weapons form Hamas.
According to available information, it was Omar who instructed his brother to form a terror cell to carry out the abduction. The operation was to be funded by a Saudi contact.
The Shin Bet said that "The Holy Warriors Brigades" have been involved in several terror attacks against Israeli targets over the past few years, including RGP fire at IDF troops, planting roadside bombs and explosives near the security fence and firing rockets at Israeli communities.
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