In a significant operation that underscores Italy's vigilance against international terrorism, Italian authorities arrested three Palestinians on charges of plotting a suicide car bombing against the Israeli settlement of Avnei Hefetz, which is located on the western edge of northern Samaria adjacent to the terror infested Palestinian city of Tulkarem.
The arrested individuals, identified as Anan Kamal Afif Yaeesh, Ali Saji Ribhi Irar, and Mansour Doghmosh, were purportedly part of a cell linked to the 'Rapid Response Group - Tulkarem Brigades' of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. This group is recognized as a terrorist organization by the European Union, Israel, and the United States, and is an armed faction of the Fatah party, led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
3 🇮🇹 Palestinians planning attack on Israeli settlement - 🇮🇹- https://t.co/HS7t032SuO @TheJudean https://t.co/1SY0ovHzG1
— DaniGolani (@dani_golan1158) March 11, 2024
The plot was unveiled through intercepted communications, including a WhatsApp message from Yaeesh, highlighting the cell's readiness for an imminent attack. Yaeesh is currently detained in Terni, Italy, pending extradition to Israel, highlighting the international collaboration in thwarting terrorism.
Italian police have charged the trio with criminal conspiracy for terrorism or subversion of the democratic order, crimes that carry a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. The charges underscore the suspects' involvement in planning attacks, including suicide bombings, against civilian and military targets on foreign soil, alongside engaging in proselytism and terrorist propaganda.
3 Palestinian militants arrested in Italy for planning terror attacks in another country. Linked to Fatah and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, considered terrorist groups by Israel, EU, and US. Thankful for strong actions against extremism. https://t.co/i7sIL0L0hv
— Will 🇺🇸 🍢 (@NoLeftTurns) March 11, 2024
The arrests come as Israel, engaged in a conflict with Hamas in Gaza, seeks the extradition of some suspects, indicating the broader regional implications of this plot. The Italian Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, lauded the operation as a critical success in Italy's ongoing battle against extremism and radicalization, reflecting the nation's heightened security posture, especially during sensitive periods like Ramadan.
This incident has prompted Israel’s National Security Council to issue a travel warning, advising vigilance during Ramadan—a period when, according to the council, the likelihood of terrorist attacks and violent acts increases due to heightened incitement by radical Islamic elements.
The media in Italy reported that three Palestinians from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Battalions were arrested on suspicion of planning to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli targets in the country pic.twitter.com/3VXniRIa7y
— GB (@GBinIsrael) March 11, 2024
The lack of immediate response from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades or the Fatah party to the arrests underscores the complex dynamics of Palestinian politics and the international efforts to combat terrorism. This event not only highlights the persistent threats faced by Israeli citizens but also the global nature of the fight against terrorism, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in ensuring security and peace.
