Shin Bet Thwarts Multiple Terror Attacks
JERUSALEM, Israel -- As Americans gathered with family and friends for traditional Thanksgiving festivities last week, Israelis thanked God for an undercover operation that averted multiple terror attacks.
In a report released Thursday, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) revealed details from the arrest of more than 30 Hamas operatives in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) planning terror attacks at Jerusalem's Teddy (soccer) Stadium and the city's light rail train system, among other sites.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the Shin Bet and the Israel Defense Forces.
"I would like to commend the ISA and the IDF for foiling very dangerous terrorist actions that could have claimed many victims in our country," Netanyahu told participants at a ceremony in Sde Boker honoring David Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime minister.
"This action was publicized, but there are very many actions that remain secret, counter-terrorist actions against Hamas, which challenges the existence of the Jewish nation-state and, in effect, challenges the existence of Jews in general. We are operating day and night in order to maintain the security of Israel's citizens. The people who do this are deserving of all praise and support," Netanyahu said.
According to the report, Hamas headquarters in Turkey spearheaded the operation.
During questioning, the operatives revealed plans for multiple terror attacks, including plans to infiltrate Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria and cross-border attacks like the attempt during Operation Protective Edge last July. The detainees also told of plans to attack Jewish targets abroad.
Like the Lebanese-based Hezbollah, Hamas recruited university students in Jordan. They looked for young men sympathetic to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood with interests and talents needed for terror missions.
Once convinced, the students' names were submitted to Hamas headquarters and if accepted, they were shipped to Syria, Turkey, and the Gaza Strip for training, with some training in Jordan.
The would-be terrorists were taught to handle weapons and explosives, recruit operatives and locate suitable sites for operations centers, explosive labs and the like.
The report said Hamas hoped to provoke sharp military responses from Israel that could topple Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and his Ramallah-based government. Hamas has long hoped to take over Judea and Samaria much like it did the Gaza Strip in June 2006.
A week ago, Israeli security forces and customs authorities intercepted two shipping containers loaded with more than 5,000 large knives, thousands of Tasers, swords and other weapons marked as Christmas decorations.
