BICOM

Israeli prosecutors yesterday charged two Palestinian gunmen and an accomplice with the murder of four Israelis last month in the Tel Aviv terrorist attack, which prosecutors said was inspired by ISIS.

Cousins Mohammed and Khaled Makhamreh, both in their early twenties from Yatta near Hebron, opened fire at the Sarona Market complex, killing 41-year-old father of two Ido Ben Ari, 39-year-old mother of four Ilana Neve, Mila Mishayev, 32, and Dr Michael Feige, 58. Another Yatta resident, Yunis Ayash Musa Zayn, is said to have assisted in providing weapons and ammunition.

Although not affiliated with any specific terror group, the indictment said the accused had decided to “take revenge on Israel in the name of ISIS during the [Muslim] fast month of Ramadan”. A separate Shin Bet statement said that they had been “inspired” by ISIS “without having been formally recruited or receiving any kind of assistance or instruction”. One of the cousins had apparently studied in Jordan.

Having crossed a breach in the West Bank security barrier, the accused had originally planned to carry out an attack on Israel’s train network, but had been put off by heavy security at Beer Sheva’s train station. They took a taxi to Tel Aviv and then asked where they could find cafes and restaurants. They had bought suits, watches, shoes and briefcases to give the impression of businessmen.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces last night destroyed the homes of two terrorists who stabbed and killed an Israeli in December. Such demolitions are intended to serve as a deterrent to future would-be attackers.

In a separate development, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan are reportedly working on a bill to make it possible to remove online content which poses a tangible danger to state, public or individual security. However, due to the potential harm to freedom of speech, such action would reportedly be taken only rarely and in extreme cases.