The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), in cooperation with the IDF and the Israel Police, recently arrested Yousef Yasser Sweilam, 23, a resident of Kalkilye and member of Hizbullah, who had been instructed to advance terrorist attacks including an abduction.

His Shin Bet investigation revealed that Sweilam, a metalworker by trade, had been recruited to Hizbullah via a Facebook profile that serves Hizbullah as a platform to recruit members. At a certain stage Sweilam was instructed to open an “operational” e-mail account to which was sent encryption software, by means of which he was in contact with his Hizbullah handlers.

His handlers directed Sweilam to carry out various tasks, including photographing – and gathering information on – IDF bases and checkpoints as well as sites in the Old City of Jerusalem. He was also directed to set up a terrorist cell in order to carry out an abduction and pass the abductee into Lebanon.

Sweilam was arrested before he was able to commit any of the terrorist attacks that had been planned.

A indictment has been filed against Sweilam in the Shomron Military Court.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)