A number of Hamas operatives from the Ramallah area were taken into custody as the result of a combined operation involving the Shin Bet, Israel Police and IDF. The suspects received tens of thousands of euros that have been hidden in areas of Yehuda and Shomron, money designated for Hamas operations.

On March 7, 2018, Omar Kiswani was arrested for questioning by the Shin Bet as part of the activity of the Border Police undercover unit at Birzeit University. Omar, 24-years-old, is a Hamas terrorist, a resident of Beit Iksa, and chairman of the Student Council which represents the Islamic vote on campus, a cell of Hamas students.

According to the Shin Bet investigation, Omar made contact with Hamas activist Yassin Ravia, who was released from prison by Israel as part of the Gilad Shalit deal. He was banished to Gaza with ties to Hamas elements in Turkey, and asked for funds to promote Hamas activity at Birzeit University.

Later on, Yassin transferred some 150,000 euros to him, which were hidden in a number of hiding places throughout Yehuda and Shomron. The money was collected by Omar from the hiding places together with his friend Yahya Alawi, 20, also with Hamas ties. The two used funds to promote Hamas activities.

The results of the investigation indicate the deep involvement of Hamas operatives in Turkey and Gaza, with an emphasis on attempts to promote Hamas activity throughout areas in Yehuda and Shomron.

The exposure of the activities of Omar Kiswani and Yahya Alawi, activists in Birzeit University, once again points to the great importance that the Hamas headquarters attaches to student activity through the university’s cell walls as a main means of recruiting and training Hamas operatives in Yehuda and Shomron.

The affair illustrates the dangerous nature PA universities serve, a growing powerbase for terrorists operating in PA (Palestinian Authority) areas.

It should be noted that during the course of 2017 a Hamas terrorist infrastructure was uncovered in Gaza, which recruited students from Birzeit University to carry out suicide attacks.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)