Hamas HQ in Turkey ordered failed suicide bombing in Tel Aviv in August, police reveals

The failed suicide bombing in Tel Aviv in August was ordered and directed by the Hamas headquarters in Turkey, the Israel Police and Shin Bet security agency announced on Tuesday, following the end of an investigation.

On Aug. 18, a powerful explosion shook southern Tel Aviv, killing the would-be terrorist and wounding a man riding an electric scooter nearby. The police said detonated too early by accident and could have killed dozens of people if the terrorist had reached a populated area.

The investigation revealed the identity of the terrorist Jaafar Mona – a Hamas operative from the town of Nablus, in Samaria (West Bank).

The investigation led the detectives to uncover Hamas’ infrastructure in Nablus and its leaders were later arrested.

According to the investigation, they were in contact with Abada Bilal, a terrorist who had been freed from an Israeli jail and deported as part of the deal to free the kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011.

Large numbers of Hamas' current leadership, including its leader Yahya Sinwar, were freed as part of the Shalit deal, which saw over 1,000 terrorists released in exchange for the Israeli soldier who was being held hostage.

Bilal later became a leading member of Hamas, overseeing its operations from Turkey. From this position, he directed the Nablus branch of the organization to carry out the suicide attack in Tel Aviv.

One of the operatives in Nablus flew to Turkey several times, receiving money to buy explosives and other materials to build the bomb. He was reportedly trained to learn how to assemble explosive charges.

The Nablus cell had two additional bombs, made out of 4 kg (almost 9 lbs) of explosive material called TATP, also commonly known as “the mother of Satan.” Israeli forces also found four more kilos of TATP intended to build additional bombs.

Additionally, NIS 111,000 (about $30,000), which had been transferred by a Hamas commander in Turkey, was seized.

Overall, eight suspected terrorists were arrested during the operation and were later indicted. They are accused of planning the attack and assisting the terrorists to carry it out.

Another indictment was filed against a resident of Beit Hanina in East Jerusalem, accusing him of transporting the suicide bomber from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.

“What emerges from the investigation clearly teaches about the establishment of the Hamas headquarters in Turkey and the many efforts made by the Hamas headquarters abroad against Judea and Samaria, in order to set fire to the area and carry out bombing attacks in Israel,” the police said.