(Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson)

Most of the Hamas operatives in the terror cell uncovered are students at Al-Quds University in Abu Dis. To date, 25 operatives have been apprehended.
The cell was established to carry out suicide and bombing attacks throughout Israel.

Ahmed Jamal Musa Azam (24), from Qalqilya, was recruited by Hamas in Gaza to be the head of the terror ring. Azam was in full contact with operatives in Gaza, and was trained to manufacture explosive devices and suicide belts. Additionally, he was instructed to recruit fellow students at Al-Quds University in order to buy materials for explosives, rent spaces for the terror ring, and recruit people to carry out attacks.

During the ISA investigation, an explosives laboratory was uncovered in Azam's apartment in Abu Dis. The laboratory contained capabilities for making large amounts of explosive materials and devices.

Two students from Al-Quds University were specifically recruited in order to take advantage of their ability to freely enter Israeli territories. Hazam Ziad Amran Sandoka (22), from Jerusalem, was recruited to buy materials and gather information on potential targets for attacks. He was responsible for helping terrorists infiltrate with explosive devices into Israel. Fadi Daoud Mohamed Abu Kian (19), from the Negev, confessed during the investigation that he agreed to smuggle a suicide belt or an explosive vehicle into Israel.

Another Hamas terror cell based in Bethlehem was uncovered. Some of its members were also students in Al-Quds University, and were recruited for the purpose of carrying out terror attacks. Among those apprehended were: Isa Shukha (19), Mohamed Walid Ahmed Sarhan (20), and Mohamed Naim Isa Ali (19). The cell received funds from Gaza and were planning on carrying out two suicide attacks.