Israel Security Agency foils terror cell planning to kill Ben Gvir, among other attacks

Israel’s Shin Bet (ISA) announced on Thursday that it had foiled a terror cell plotting to carry out various attacks in Israel, including an assassination bid on National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. 

In the past few months, Shin Bet, Israel Defense Forces and Israel Police arrested seven suspects from Israel and another four from northern Samaria, near Tulkarm and Jenin in the West Bank.

During the investigation, security forces discovered that members of the terror cell were planning extensive operations within Israel, among them: attacks against IDF military bases; Ben-Gurion International Airport; and government offices in Jerusalem. The group also planned an attack on Kiryat Arba near Hebron and, within this operation, they also planned Ben Gvir's assassination, reportedly by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). 

To conduct these operations, the terror cell initiated procedures for renting land in Judea and Samaria for the building of a factory, which would serve as a cover for an underground complex to be used for training, weapons production, and teaching lessons in Hebrew and Jihad; all in preparation for carrying out terror attacks. 

The terror cell sought support from Hamas in Gaza, aiming for sponsorship, funds, and instruction for their planned terrorist attacks. One member from Judea and Samaria made contact with a Hamas operative in Gaza who agreed to provide financial support for attacks within Israel.

The state prosecutor’s office filed indictments against 10 of the group’s members on Thursday morning at the Beersheva District Court. 

According to those indictments, Bilal Nasasara, a resident of the southern Israeli city of Rahat appeared to be the main leader of the group. Four other individuals also hailed from Rahat. Two were from the northern city of ‘Iron and the central city of Lod. 

Akram A’amer, from Tulkarm, was listed as the leader of the members from the Palestinian Territories near Samaria. 

According to the report, Nasasara worked with A’amer at a restaurant and approached him with the idea of establishing a terror squad of Israeli and Palestinian Arabs working together. 

A’amer responded positively and offered to add two residents of Judea and Samaria with whom he had joined for the same purpose: Hamas member Ahmed Atiq, who could raise funds for the organization; and Muhammad Sobha, a chemistry student who could be responsible for manufacturing IEDs and explosives. 

The group chose the name “Masra al-Rasool,” a reference to the Al Aqsa Mosque. 

Shin Bet domestic security emphasized that the group was intercepted before they managed to execute any terrorist activities.