BICOM

Israeli security officials released details yesterday of an Israeli citizen who was arrested by security forces for involvement in terrorist activities, including plans to carry out attacks in Israel.

The Shin Bet security agency released a statement yesterday confirming that Anas Haj Yehiye, aged 35, from Taibe, was arrested on 29 January in a joint operation with Israel Police. Haj Yehiye was in contact with ISIS operatives and had sworn allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Instead of travelling to fight in Syria, Haj Yehiye took steps to build an ISIS cell within Israel.

The Shin Bet said:“Haj Yehiye was asked to carry out an attack on a bus in Tel Aviv and against IDF soldiers but the plans were never realised.”

Haj Yehiye was active in online groups with ISIS activists and distributed material and instructions to produce explosive belts and explosive devices. He also distributed instructions for the preparation of lethal substances, including sarin gas.

During a search of his home, security forces found photographs of explosive devices, military materials and a copy of ISIS’s booklet titled “Detailed Guide for the Jihadist”.

There have been several cases of Israeli citizens affiliating with, and acting on behalf of, ISIS. Last July, two men from Arab communities in northern Israel were charged with attempting to join the terror group. In 2016, a mother of five from Shfaram was sentenced to 22 months in prison for a similar offence. An Israeli citizen from Umm al-Fahm was reported to have been killed in a US-led bombing raid on ISIS targets in Syria last March.