(Communicated by the ISA)
The following has been cleared for publication:
The Israel Security Agency (ISA), in cooperation with the Israel Police and the IDF, have thwarted an attempt by Hamas to carry out a kidnapping in Samaria during Chanukah.
In October and November 2017, the ISA uncovered a Hamas cell from the village of Tel, near Nablus. The ISA investigation revealed that cell members planned to abduct a soldier or local Jewish resident at one of the bus stops near Nablus.
The detained cell members are:
Muad Ashtiyah, born in 1991, a Hamas member, who resides in Tel, was the leader of the cell. He is suspected of planning the kidnapping; he also acquired weapons and recruited additional members.
Mahmoud Ramadan and Ahmed Ramadan, born in 1998, Hamas members, who reside in Tel. They are suspected of having been recruited by Muad Ashtiyah and agreeing to join the cell.
Cell members were in contact with Omar Assida, a Hamas militant and member of the Hamas command in the Gaza Strip who is currently responsible for organizing military actions and the flow of funds from the Gaza Strip to Judea and Samaria.
The Hamas command in the Gaza Strip provided guidance and financing for the planned abduction, the goal of which was to bargain for the release of security prisoners held in Israel.
It was also learned that cell members gathered precise intelligence on routes, hitchhiking stops and the main junctions. The plan was for cell members to disguise themselves as local Jewish residents and entice a victim to enter their vehicle. The head of the cell also inquired about possible safe houses in the Nablus area in order to hide the abductee in order to bargain (see above).
The ISA seized weapons – including a pistol, electric shocker and gas spray –that were intended for use by cell members in carrying out the abduction. Cell members were due to acquire additional weapons for use in the kidnapping.
The findings of the investigation have been transferred to IDF prosecutors in Samaria for consideration regarding the filing of indictments.
The ISA will continue to take determined action to thwart terrorist cells and planned attacks, especially by the Hamas terrorist organization which works tirelessly to perpetrate attacks in Israel.