Jerusalem – The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced on Thursday that Israeli forces have foiled a Hamas cell’s plot to carry out a terror attack and kidnapping in order to negotiate a prisoner swap.
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Several Hamas cells from Tzurif and Hebron planned to initiate different terror attacks, including kidnapping Israelis, in order to free Palestinian prisoners.
As part of the investigation, authorities seized weapons and large quantities of ammunition, including two AK-47s, three pistols and a shotgun among others.
After the Shin Bet detained the suspects, they were interrogated over several days, with the military court expected to issue an indictment.
The main purpose for the terror plot, the Shin Bet claims, centered on 58-year-old security prisoner Ibrahim Abdullah Ranimat, serving a life-sentence for his involvement in a deadly terror attack at a bar 20 years ago. Ranimat was also convicted for his role in the abduction and murder of IDF soldier Sharon Adri, who was killed in 1996. The Shin Bet accuse the terror cell of wanting to free Ranimat as part of a ransom scheme.
Those involved in the plot include three of Ranimat’s sons: Fadi Ibrahim Ranimat, Muhammad Ranimat and Shadi Ibrahim Ranimat, the latter of which the Shin Bet believes headed the terror cell.
Israel Security Forces also arrested Haitham Hamidan, who helped store weapons for the brothers, and J’ad Sultan, who supplied the terror cell with lethal arms.
Security estimates suggest a strong motivation on behalf of Hamas operatives, either in prison or in the field, to carry out serious terrorist attacks against Israel, including kidnapping and shootings.
Israel security echelon, which includes the IDF, Israel Police, and Israel Prison Services, will continue to act against all serious threats, the Shin Bet statement said, in order to expose and thwart potential terrorists cells who intend to carry out attacks.
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