Ex-IDF Soldier Charged With Attempting to Join ISIS

The State Prosecutor's Office has filed an indictment against Khamis Suaed, a resident of the Galilee and a discharged Israel Defense Forces soldier, who allegedly planned to join the terrorist organization ISIS and fight in its ranks. Suaed served in the IDF's tracker unit between 2017 and 2019. Following his discharge, the indictment claims, he began working to realize his plan to reach an area where he could join the terrorist group, such as Syria or Africa.

According to the charges, Suaed did not limit himself to intent alone. He saved money to fund his travel and move to the combat zone, while consuming ISIS content designed to prepare him for joining the organization. This included watching videos of killings and beheadings to mentally prepare himself for potential combat participation. The prosecution also alleges he studied combat methods and weapons use, and watched lessons from senior ISIS figures.

Over the past year, it is claimed, he downloaded guides on missile and drone manufacturing, sniper rifle usage, and military tactics. This case joins several recent investigations and indictments against residents of northern Israel suspected of being exposed to ISIS ideology and planning terrorist activities. Just last week, an indictment was filed against two northern residents, a 16-year-old minor and a 19-year-old, who allegedly planned attacks at the Temple Mount and an IDF base in the north after pledging allegiance to ISIS.