About 40 Palestinian terrorists from Bethlehem were thwarted before they could carry out a series of imminent terrorist attacks, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) reported Thursday.
Given the size of the multiple cells, the bust may be a strategic setback to Hamas and other terrorist groups that want more terrorist attacks from the West Bank when they are weaker in Gaza.
The announcement also marked the first time such an operation was publicly announced since David Zini became Shin Bet director on October 5.
The Shin Bet recently publicized two other operations: one involving the arrest of an Israeli from Tiberias for spying for Iran; and the seizing of weapons that Iran was trying to smuggle from Jordan into the West Bank. Neither of those involved imminent terrorist attacks of this scale.
Zini is looking to make his mark as head of the agency after months of limbo caused by political and legal battles among Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the legal establishment, and the opposition over his appointment.
Thwarting the terrorist plots was a joint operation by the Shin Bet, the IDF, and the Israel Police. A variety of counterterrorism actions were taken in recent weeks.
Anti-terrorism unit runs 15 ops
In particular, reservists from the IDF Etzion Brigade, along with the Duvdevan special unit and the LOTAR anti-terrorism unit, undertook 15 operations in coordination with the Shin Bet to capture the terrorists.
Part of the bust included seizing the terrorists’ weapons, including M-16s.
There were masterminds who systematically recruited and built multiple terrorist cells to carry out a series of shooting attacks against Israeli civilians and the IDF, the Shin Bet reported.
One of the cells was ready to carry out an imminent terrorist attack when its members were captured, it said.
The Shin Bet said it would continue to act with other security bodies to prevent terrorists from causing harm.
It also said it had transferred its evidence over to the IDF’s West Bank Prosecution to prepare indictments against those involved in the various terrorist cells.