The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), in collaboration with Israel Defense Forces arrested 13 Hamas activists, including a member of the Palestinian Authority Legislative Council. They also seized money, a car and several propaganda materials of Hamas.

The operation was the latest in a string of moves by security forces against Hamas’ extensive infrastructure  in the Ramallah and Binyamin regions,  which represented the group headquarters in the region.

The command center included dozens of activists who worked to strengthen Hamas’ presence in Judea and Samaria, providing financial support of the families of terrorists via the Dawa (“a calling to come closer to religion” or “preaching”) program and organizing student groups within Hamas (“Kulta Islamiya”). Additionally, the structure supported the spread of Hamas propaganda  and funded organizing meetings. The group is funded by Hamas officials, both in Gaza and abroad.

“The uncovering of this command infrastructure indicates the continued strategic intentions of Hamas to operate and establish its position on the ground, in an attempt to topple the Palestinian Authority regime, in addition to carrying out deadly terror attacks [in Israel]” stated the Shin Bet Spokesperson.

“The Shin Bet and the IDF will continue to operate continuously and determinedly to thwart these infrastructures in advance,” concluded the Shin Bet.