A gag order was lifted on Tuesday 25 Nissan permitting the publication of the arrest of members of a Hamas terror cell that planned a terrorist attack this past Purim in the Abu Dis area of Jerusalem. The arrests were made at the beginning of last month by agents of the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet), the IDF and Israel Police.

As a result of their interrogation of the suspects, officials uncovered weapons including a pistol and an AK-47 assault rifle as well as ammunition. An indictment will be filed against the suspects in the coming days.

The cell members purchased a Hyundai Elantra to use in the shooting attack. They actively worked to gather information on their intended targets.

· In custody are Ma’an Nur al-Din Ahmad Shar, 26, from Burqa. He is reportedly the cell leader. He was employed in the Abu Dis University cafeteria. He is a veteran terrorist who has been jailed in Israel in the past for shooting attacks against IDF soldiers.

· Daud Raja Adwan, 32, from Azariya. He too served time in an Israeli prison for his terror activities.

It appears there are others connected to cell as well.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)