BICOM

Israel’s internal security agency announced yesterday that it detected and arrested a large Hamas cell planning to launch suicide attacks in Jerusalem and Haifa.

According to the Shin Bet, the 20-person terrorist cell was “hierarchical and organised” and many of those involved in it had previously spent time in Israeli prisons for terrorist offences. Although it did not specify exactly when the arrests were made, the Shin Bet said that they had taken place over the last six months.

The Hamas cell was based in the Nablus area of the West Bank and recruited four suicide bombers planning to carry out attacks in Jerusalem, Haifa and bus stations in other locations. The cell gathered 7kg of explosives in a Nablus workshop between May and August this year and were planning to use oxygen tanks to enhance the impact of metal shrapnel in the bombs.

In addition, the cell  purchased a number of M-16 assault rifles with the intention to  carry out shooting attacks against Israeli citizens or soldiers. A wider support network for the cell helped purchase the weapons, raise money and hide explosives and individual cell members.

A Shin Bet statement said: “Had it [the cell] not been discovered, it would have carried out grave terror attacks. Thanks to excellent intelligence and operational activities of Shin Bet and IDF forces, the cell was discovered in time.”

It added: “The investigation again reveals the major efforts that the Hamas terrorist organisation is investing establishing infrastructure in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank] with the aim of carrying out terrorist attacks against Israel.”

This morning, the IDF announced that a soldier had been moderately wounded in the leg after coming under fire during an arrest operation in Nablus’s Balata refugee camp. Channel Ten said that three suspects were arrested overnight in connection with terror offences.