30 Hamas terrorists arrested in a joint IDF-ISA operation within Ramallah. Terrorists were developing an extensive terror infrastructure
Date: 29/10/2012, 7:53 PM
Author: Israel Security Agency
Today (Monday, October 29th), the Israel Security Agency (ISA, or Shin Bet security service) reported that it had uncovered an extensive terrorist infrastructure within Ramallah belonging to Hamas. As of now, 30 Hamas terrorists have been arrested.
The terrorists were conducting missions aimed at reviving the activities of Hamas within Judea and Samaria. Two of the detainees participated in the infamous Ramallah lynching in 2000.
The ISA’s investigation revealed that the purpose of the organization was to reinforce Hamas’ power ahead of the Palestinian Authority elections to be held this month. The detainees were engaged in providing financial assistance to Hamas prisoners and their families, while also participating in Hamas’ efforts to strengthen their presence amongst students in universities.
Members of the network were in contact with the Hamas leadership abroad in order to obtain information and funds. They attempted to conceal their communications with the commanders of the organization through the use of false identities, couriers, mailboxes, mobile memory cards, and secret meetings.
The ISA’s official statement said, “This affair has once again revealed the efforts of the Hamas leadership, both in the area and abroad, to strengthen the infrastructure of the organization in the field, thus upgrading their operations.”
The discovery of the Hamas terror organization’s activities in Ramallah has also resulted in the disruption of its attempts to develop infrastructure in other parts of Judea and Samaria. According to the investigation, the suspects planned to build Hamas infrastructure in the vicinity of Hebron and Bethlehem, but the plan was foiled and the members of the squad were arrested.
Charges have been filed against the suspects, including association and membership with organizations participating in unlawful activity, contact with enemy forces, and the transfer of enemy funds into the area. The courts have approved their arrests, and they will be held until they go to trial.
Two of the detainees admitted during interrogations that they had taken part in the lynching of IDF reservists Yossi Avrahami and Vadim Nurzhitz in 2000. After the two reservists were detained by Palestinian Authority policemen in Ramallah on October 12th, 2000, a mob of Palestinians stormed the police station where the reservists were being held, murdered the two reservists, and mutilated their bodies.