Israel’s security forces have exposed a plot by Hamas in the Gaza Strip to recruit minors in Judea and Samaria to carry out terror attacks against Israeli targets.
The Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) revealed Monday that it arrested in October two minors from Beit Umar in the Bethlehem area, one of them only 16 years.
The investigation revealed that the minors were recruited by Hamas elements in Gaza via the Internet to carry out terrorist activities against Israelis.
The minors’ connection with Hamas’ infrastructure in Gaza took place with various Hamas activists, frequently and over several months, on various social networks.
Bilal Karadi, a resident of the Gaza Strip from Hamas’ cyber unit, located the minors and recruited them for Hamas activities.
The investigation of the minors revealed that they were supposed to receive weapons, ammunition, uniforms and money to promote terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria.
The minors were asked to carry out various tasks for the Hamas terrorist organization, including carrying out a shooting attack. The two were also asked to abduct an Israeli near their place of residence.
The minors were asked to gather intelligence about nearby Israeli communities, including photographs of Bat Ayin and Kfar Etzion, and providing maps and gathering points of IDF forces in the area.
The two even tried to produce pipe bombs but failed to produce a useful bomb.
Hamas had promised that in return for their actions, the two would receive sums of money and a commitment that Hamas in the Gaza Strip would take responsibility for their actions.
Indictments were filed against the two in the Juvenile Military Court earlier this month.
“The investigation illustrates the extent of Hamas’ borderless efforts to promote terrorist attacks and terrorist infrastructure in Judea and Samaria while exploiting minors and harming their families,” the Shin Bet stated.
The security service vowed to “continue to work to thwart Hamas’ efforts in the Gaza Strip to establish terrorist infrastructure in Judea and Samaria to promote terrorist attacks in Israeli territory in order to undermine regional stability.”