The ISA and IDF conducted a search in Judea and Samaria to identify the terror cell behind last month’s shooting attacks. In the joint operation, the ISA, IDF, and Israel Police, discovered, detained and interrogated the terror cell responsible for the shooting attack that occurred on June 29, 2015, near the community of Kida, in which Malachi Rosenfeld z”l was murdered and three others were wounded. The group is also responsible for the shooting attack that occurred on June 27, in which the terrorists opened fire on an Israeli ambulance and other Israeli vehicles.
ISA investigators noted that members of the network also attempted to carry out another attack on June 6, 2015.
During the interrogation, it was discovered that the attacks were planned by Ahmed Najar, a Hamas activist formerly imprisoned for involvement in shooting attacks that caused the death of Israeli civilians. He was released as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange.
Members of the Palestinian Authority security forces assisted in the arrests, including Mu’adh Hamed, who headed the cell and Ahmed Shebirui, who participated in planning the attacks and holding the weapons that were used.
“Extensive intelligence and operational access enabled the IDF once more to arrest a Hamas cell that intentionally targeted civilians and medical first aid responders. It was a matter of time until these terrorists used their weapons once more to attack, this operation successfully stopped them before the fulfilment of their heinous intentions,” explains Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner. “Terrorists must know that terror does not pay, we do not forget and will utilize every available means in order to maintain security and safety for civilians in the region”.
Operatives detained in the process of uncovering the cell:
Ahmed Najar, born in 1976 a resident of Jordan, originally from Silwad, a Hamas activist, formerly imprisoned several times (last in December 2003 to October, 2011) for his involvement in shooting attacks, which killed six Israeli citizens. Was released as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange. He guided and provided financing activity of the cell.
Amgad Najar, born in 1977, resident of Silwad, was arrested on July 7, 2015. A Hamas activist, and brother of Ahmed Najar. In the 90s was arrested for involvement in terrorist activity. During interrogation he admitted the transfer of instructions from his brother, as well as weapons that were used for the attack.
Abdullah Ishaq, born in 1991, resident of Silwad, was arrested on July 7, 2015.
Prior was detained between 2010 – 2011 for involvement in terrorist activity and for weapons trafficking in particular. In 2006 he was involved in planning a shooting attack. During interrogation he admitted direct involvement in attacks aforementioned, as a driver, and in other terrorist activities as part of the terrorist group.
Mu’adh Hamed, born in 1989, resident of Silwad, is a Hamas activist, was arrested several times in the past for involvement in planning attacks. According to the investigation Hamed committed the aforementioned shooting attacks.
Ahmed Shebirui, born in 1986, resident of Silwad, a Hamas activist, was arrested several times in the past for involvement in planning attacks. According to the investigation Shebirui provided the weapons used to carry out the aforementioned attacks.
Faaz Hamed, born in 1973, resident of Silwad, was arrested on July 9, 2015. He was a ranking Hamas leader who was arrested several times for involvement in Hamas’ activity . During interrogation he admitted to planning above attacks and attempting another attack.
Jamal Jamil Yunis, born in 1953, a resident of the West Bank town of Kutzra was arrested on July 10, 2015. Interrogations revealed that Yunis took the car used in the shooting attack to be destroyed at a junk yard, and helped the cell obtain the weapons used in the attack.
https://www.idfblog.com/blog/2015/07/19/isa-idf-joint-operation-stops-terror-cell-responsible-two-shooting-attacks/Posted in full as it is a press release.
