Officials on Wednesday lifted a gag order on a major operation involving Israel Police, the IDF and ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet). A Hamas terror cell was apprehended, thereby preventing a suicide bombing attack in the capital and the planned kidnapping of soldiers. Chassdei Hashem, dozens of terrorists were taken into custody in the major inter-department operation.

One of the planned attacks was in the Jerusalem Convention Center (Binyanei Ha’uma) in March 2011. The bomb detonated at the bus stop across the street, killing one female and leaving 47 wounded. That blast occurred prematurely, as security officials indicated shortly after the blast, but then the investigation shifted to the intelligence sphere and nothing else was said in the news.

Among the planned attacks was a suicide bomber in August, in the capital. Shin Bet agents have taken 100 suspects from 13 different terror cells into custody, B’chasdei Hashem much bloodshed was prevented. Intelligence community officials add this is an indicator of just how highly motivated Hamas is – determined to perpetrate ‘quality’ attacks.

The bombing attack was planned in Pisgat Ze’ev, a northern neighborhood of the capital. The bomb was to be three kilograms of explosives strapped to a fire extinguisher, packed along with nails and other metallic objects towards maximizing carnage from the blast.

Baruch Hashem, that bomb was discovered in time, in the Ras el-Amud home of Azak Arrafah, 23, who is a resident of the eastern capital, and who also holds and Israeli blue identification card, facilitating his movements around checkpoints and security inspections. Arrafah was directly linked to the March 2011 explosion across the street from Binyanei Ha’uma and he also planned to kidnap and Israeli in a future operation.  His arrest also led Shin Bet agents to 20-year-old Chevron resident Said Kawasmah, a would-be suicide bomber.

SOME OF THE SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY

A male was inducted from Chevron where he was taught how to build a bomb. 

In 2010, the Shin Bet uncovered a terrorist infrastructure operating in Ketziot Prison, involving 20 residents of PA areas throughout Yehuda and Shomron. They were planning to abduct an IDF soldier to use him as a bargaining pawn towards obtaining the release of imprisoned terrorists.

Mahmoud Tamizi, 22, from Chevron, who was imprisoned by Israel from May 2008 to May 2010, was inducted into a cell while in prison, and he underwent his training in the art of bomb building as well. Ahead of his release he received his orders, to establish a cell that would carry out shooting attacks, build explosive devices and abduct soldiers. He was also responsible for deciding on locations that would be used to hold the hostage soldiers, safe houses.

Minister of Public Security Yitzchak Aharonovich praised the hard work, professionalism and determination of Shin Bet agents who worked alongside police units in the Jerusalem District.

In July 2011 a Hamas infrastructure in Chevron was discovered, operating under direct command from Gaza, also planning kidnappings. They were supposed to receive weapons originating in Sinai, coming to Chevron via Gaza.

HAMAS WORKING IN TURKEY

Simultaneously, an international Hamas military wing faction was uncovered in Turkey, working to enlist terrorists willing to carry out attacks on behalf of the organization. According to the Shin Bet, the international activities of Hamas are primarily conducted in Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. These venues serve as a base for command facilities as well as financing and training operatives in the field.

As a result of Hamas widening its operating base, the terror organization has also begun activities in China for purposes of money laundering and the acquisition of equipment. Security establishment officials view the stepped-up activities abroad as a direct result of the successful anti-terror activities here at home, compelling Hamas to relocate its base of operation.

According to foreign media reports, the Mossad Intelligence Agency is responsible for the assassination of Mahmud el-Mabkukh, who was responsible for major fundraising and purchasing military equipment — brought from Saudi Arabia into Gaza. His elimination shed light on some of the ongoing Hamas fundraising efforts abroad, as well as the expanding nature of its military capabilities and sophistication of weapons being acquired by the terrorist organization.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)