Ex-IDF Soldier Charged with Planning to Join ISIS

Prosecutors have indicted Hamis Swaad Hamira, a resident of the Bedouin village of Husniya in the Galilee, on charges of supporting the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization. According to the investigation, Hamira, approximately 30 years old, allegedly planned to join ISIS militants abroad after previously serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from 2017 to 2019. His arrest followed a joint investigation by the Shin Bet security agency and the Galilee District Detective Unit. The indictment was filed on Wednesday, August 2nd, with prosecutors requesting that Hamira be held in custody until the conclusion of his trial.

The investigation suggests Hamira's interest in ISIS began to grow in 2023, leading him to regularly search for the group's materials online and study its ideology and actions. The prosecution claims this evolved into an intention to join the terrorist group. In 2024, Hamira decided to leave Israel and fight for ISIS, reportedly considering Syria or African countries as destinations. He allegedly began preparing for his departure and joining the organization by undergoing training, studying combat methods, and downloading instructions for making rockets and drones.

Furthermore, the Shin Bet and police allege that Hamira was saving money for his travel expenses. He also reportedly watched videos of executions and beheadings distributed by ISIS supporters, which the prosecution believes was an attempt to psychologically prepare himself for combat. Prosecutors are seeking his pre-trial detention.