Israel Uncovers Widespread Hamas Terror Cell Planning Suicide Bombings
Abu Dis (TPS) – A wide-scale Hamas terrorist cell has been uncovered by Israeli security forces in an operation that lasted for several weeks. The cell, which operated in the Palestinian town of Abu Dis, located east of Jerusalem, planned to carry out multiple terrorist attacks and suicide bombings in Israel.
Thus far, security forces arrested 25 individuals involved in the plot, the majority of whom are students at the University of Abu Dis. The ringleader of the cell is Amad Ahmed Jamal Mussah Azzam, 24, from Qalaliya.
During the investigation, which took place the last few weeks, the Shin Bet located a laboratory containing explosives in Azzam’s rented apartment in Abu Dis. Upon searching the laboratory, investigators found significant amounts of explosive material. In addition, illegal unprocessed materials, which Azzam apparently purchased in a shop in Ramallah, used for the making of bombs, were also confiscated.
Among the members of of the cell, two were studying at Abu Dis University, an advantage that Azzam utilized regarding their freedom of movement.
One of the students, Hazem Sandouka, a 22-year-old resident of Jerusalem’s Old City, was recruited for his ability to access materials required for the planned attacks. He was assigned the task of collecting information about selected targets and facilitating the crossing of more potential terrorists and explosives into the Green Line.
Another among the terror cell was 19-year-old Fahadi Abu Kiya’an, an Israeli citizen from a Bedouin community in Hura in the Negev desert. The Shin Bet was alerted to the fact during the investigation that at the beginning of October, he had agreed to carry out an attack inside the Green Line by way of a suicide belt or a car bomb.
During the ISA’s investigation of the Kiya’an and Sandouka, they revealed that aside from their terrorist activities carried out under the auspices of Hamas in Abu Dis, they also supported ISIS.
An additional Hamas cell was discovered in the Beit Lechem area which also contained a number of students from Abu Dis University and who intended to carry out suicide bombings in Israel.
Michael Bachner contributed to this report