BICOM

A joint security operation with the Shin Bet (Israeli Security Services), the IDF and the police, which took place over the last few months, revealed several Hamas terrors cells based in the West Bank that were plotting attacks on Israel. In information released to the press yesterday, the Shin Bet last month foiled a terrorist attack in Jerusalem and seized a suicide explosive belt 24 hours before the attack was planned. The cell responsible for the planned attack was based in Hebron and had made contact with Hamas headquarters in Syria. The attack was scheduled to be carried out on 21 August, and involved a fire extinguisher carrying six kilograms of explosives. It was intended that the bomb would be carried by a suicide bomber to the mall near the Pisgat Zeev neighbourhood in Jerusalem.

The security forces arrested several Hamas members and investigated a range of 13 different terrorist cells. The Shin Bet said that Hamas was building its presence and military infrastructure in the West Bank, with the primary goal of kidnapping another IDF soldier. Shin Bet officials also indicated that Hamas had operations in China, which included money laundering and procurement of equipment, and In Turkey, where Hamas is believed to be active in recruiting operatives.

In a separate development in the West Bank, the Israeli army is investigating an incident where anonymous assailants broke into a military base in the Binyamin region and vandalized 13 army jeeps.  The “price tag” attack occurred after vandals burned property in a West Bank mosque on Monday, the morning after three homes at the Migron outpost were demolished by the IDF.