The Israeli operations against terrorism are seemingly endless. On Monday morning, the Shin Bet published the details of an operation that lasted several weeks and with the cooperation of the Israel Defense Forces was successful in taking down a terrorist infrastructure that promoted bomb and suicide attacks in Israeli territory. “The Resistance Committees" and the "Shahda Al-Aqsa" organization, both located in Gaza were planning on killing Israeli citizens once again using 'suicide bombers'.
"The operation included many elements, in a way that led to the uncovering of additional recruits from Judea and Samaria and the seizure of an explosive device prior to the realization of a significant terrorist attack in Israel," said an anonymous Shin Bet official.
The Shin Bet revealed that it foiled a mass casualty attack. Security forces arrested West Bank operatives of a terror cell receiving orders from Gaza based factions.
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) December 26, 2022
"The operation focused on a number of known terrorist operatives from the Gaza Strip, headed by Ahmed Fathi Omar Hajjaj, a resident of Jabalia, who is known as an expert in the production of explosives." The Shin Bet also said that the informants helped them identify and locate the leading figures in the planned suicidal operations, including Maha Ladawi, who helped recruit to the terrorist infrastructure and worked together with Jahad Ahmed, Zabri Muhammad Zabri Aram, and Iman Yosef Khalil Zakot, all residents of Gaza.
A number of terrorist operatives from Judea and Samaria were arrested for investigation by the Shin Bet due to their involvement in the promotion of the terrorist activity that was exposed. The Shin Bet announced in their statement. "The State of Israel takes very seriously the terrorist activity directed from the Gaza Strip and West Bank targeting Israel and works to thwart any threat ahead of time, and considers the Hamas organization as the one responsible group for all terrorist activity from the Gaza Strip."
Shin Bet busts Gaza-directed terror cell planning ‘major’ bombing in Israel https://t.co/ErTwUtvrLY via @timesofisrael
— drdivine (@drdivine) December 26, 2022
Although Hamas was not directly ordering the suicide bombing squads, due to their status as de-facto rulers of Gaza, Israel views them as responsible for all activities within Gaza, including lone-wolf terrorism. Hamas has yet to respond to the Shin Bet’s report.
Shin Bet says it foiled a bombing attack by the Popular Resistance Committees and al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, arresting four members in the West Bank and seizing a ready IED. Agency says attack was directed by terror operatives in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/7U9Izb55M9
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) December 26, 2022
Prime Minister Lapid tweeted in response to the Shin Bet’s successful operation and said: "I congratulate the Shin Bet, the IDF, and the police for the intelligence and operational activity that led to the arrest of terrorist squads - the long hand of the State of Israel will reach anyone who tries to harm the citizens of Israel."
