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The Shin Bet on Thursday afternoon 8 Kislev announced the arrests of a number of terrorist suspects affiliated with Hamas. The terror cell planned numerous acts of terror against Israeli security forces and civilians. The operation was carried out in cooperation with IDF units operating in the Gush Etzion district. the cell planned shooting attacks as well as kidnappings in the hope of using hostages as negotiating pawns towards gaining the release of terrorists imprisoned in Israel.

In the framework of a combined Shin Bet, IDF and Border Police operation, a Hamas infrastructure was uncovered. Members of the infrastructure – Hamas activists from Tzurif and Hebron – planned various terrorist attacks including shooting attacks and abduction in order to bargain for the release of prisoners.

They also carried out observations, in preparation for the aforesaid attacks, of IDF forces in the Tzurif area. Investigation of the infrastructure members by the ISA led to the discovery of considerable war materiel.

Among the main persons involved is security prisoner (terrorist) Ibrahim Abdallah Ghneimat, born in 1958, a resident of Tzurif, who is serving a life sentence for his involvement in a series of deadly terrorist attacks in the 1990s including the abduction and murder of IDF soldier Sharon Edri HY”D.

In the framework of the investigation, the following Hamas activists were also arrested:

* Fadi Ibrahim Ghneimat, resident of Tzurif, the son of Ibrahim Ghneimat;

* Shadi Ibrahim Ghneimat, resident of Tzurif, the son of Ibrahim Ghneimat, served as head of the cell;

* Mahmoud Mahmoud Ghneimat, resident of Tzurif, son-in-law of Ibrahim Ghneimat;

* Kheitam Naim Hamidan – resident of Jeba, assisted in hiding war materiel;

* J’ad Sultan – resident of Hebron, weapons trafficker who supplied the infrastructure with some of its weaponry;

* Rami Rajoub – resident of Dura, who, together with Ibrahim Ghneimat, while they were in prison, planned an abduction.

During the investigation considerable materials and weapons were confiscated including two AK-47s (Kalashnikov assault rifles), three pistols, a hunting rifle, a long-barreled M-16, a short-barreled M-16, clips and ammunition.

The investigations of the detainees have concluded. The IDF prosecutor in Judea and Samaria is due to file indictments against the suspects in the coming days.

The uncovering of the infrastructure reveals the high motivation of Hamas militants, both in the field and in prison, to carry out severe attacks including shootings and abductions.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)