Officials on Sunday 23 Shevat 5773 permitted publicizing the arrests of members of an Islamic Jihad terror cell taken into custody in December 2012. The cell members first planned to kidnap IDF soldiers to use them to compel the release of terrorists imprisoned in Israel, and when that did not work; they decided to abduct Israeli civilians. They planned to kidnap Israeli civilians from train stations and ride pick up stops in the Gush Dan area.

Officials point out that the suspects were apprehended during the night of the secular New Year’s Eve while in a vehicle waiting to abduct an Israeli. They planned to take their hostage to Jenin and enter into negotiations with Israel to release terrorists.

Once again, cell members include Israeli citizens, Arabs from Um el-Fahm and Kalansua. They were taken into custody at the Eyal Checkpoint in the Kfar Saba area. At the time of their arrests they had tape, wool hats, a box cutter and fake gun in their possession. The five suspects were inducted in the Lod District Court on Sunday, 23 Shevat.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)