BICOM

Israel’s Shin Bet security agency yesterday announced the arrest of a seven-man Hamas cell in the West Bank, which was planning the kidnapping of a soldier in order to negotiate the release of a convicted terrorist.

The arrests were made in the Hebron area and included three brothers – Fadi Ibrahim Ranimat, Muhammad Ranimat, and Shadi Ibrahim Ranimat, who was apparently the leader of the cell. The brothers focused their plans, which also included shooting attacks, on the kidnap of a soldier in order to secure the release of their father, who is currently serving a life sentence. Ibrahaim Abdallah Ranimat, 58, was convicted of various terror offences in the 1990s, including the kidnapping and murder of IDF soldier Sharon Edri.

According to the Shin Bet, the cell had been observing IDF movements near Tzurif, in order to plan an abduction. During the arrests, Israeli forces uncovered large quantities of ammunition and weapons, including two Kalashnikov rifles, two M-16 assault rifles, and three pistols.

In addition to the three brothers, two Palestinian men were arrested for supplying and storing the weapons and another was apprehended for plotting kidnappings while imprisoned with Ranimat.

A Shin Bet statement said: “The uncovering of the infrastructure reveals the high motivation of Hamas militants, both in the field and in prison, to carry out severe attacks including shootings and abductions.”

The Hebron area is considered to be a Hamas stronghold and has been a focal point for violent Palestinian attacks since October last year, which have killed at least 42 people. Israeli security forces have disrupted a number of Hamas cells operating in the West Bank during the past year.

In addition, in March, the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces arrested another Hamas cell in Hebron, which was planning attacks on Israelis.

Earlier this week, the Shin Bet announced that it had arrested a cell of four Palestinians, including three minors, who had perpetrated four shooting attacks in the West Bank.