Shin Bet Nabs Israeli Arab Terrorist Conscripted By Hamas To Blow Up Hadera Bus

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Shin Bet announced that after an operation in conjunction with police detective units, it had arrested a resident of the Israeli Arab town of Umm Al-Fahm on suspicion of intending to perpetrate a bombing attack, after he had been conscripted by Hamas.

The suspect, Mahmad Nadir Mah’jane, a 20-year-old Israeli citizen, was arrested with various medias connecting him to the Hamas terrorist organization. On interrogation it became apparent that due to emotional and economic hardships he was going through, he began to get closer to the ideology of the Muslim brotherhood and decided to perpetrate an attack by placing explosive devices.

Mah’jane gathered information about various possible sites for perpetrating an attack including crowded places like the Afula soccer stadium. He even staked out the center of Tel Aviv, as it was suggested that he stage an attack at one of the mass demonstrations taking place against the judicial reforms, but Mah’jane rejected this option. In the end, the terrorist received directions to place an explosive device on the 921 bus in Hadera and had even performed a number of activities in preparation of the attack.

This is not the first instance in which Israeli Arab citizens have been conscripted by Hamas for terrorist attacks. In January two other citizens were arrested for planning similar attacks.

The Shin Bet said that “Investigating the matter revealed Hamas’s continued attempts to promote terrorist activity in Israel while cynically exploiting Israeli citizens for terrorist purposes. At the same time Hamas is disguising its own role and portraying itself as willing to promote peace agreements regarding the Gaza strip.”