East Jerusalem Man Charged With Selling Rifle to Hamas Operative Targeting Minister Ben-Gvir

An indictment has been filed against Mohammed Salhab, an East Jerusalem resident holding an Israeli blue identity card, for allegedly selling weapons, including an M16 rifle, to Rashid Rishk, a Hamas operative with a security background. According to a report by i24NEWS on Saturday evening, Salhab was aware of Rishk's past and his ties to Hamas. Rishk, who was previously convicted at age 15 for involvement in a stabbing attack and later for planning attacks against police officers on the Temple Mount, was also the head of a cell that planned to assassinate National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, carry out a suicide bombing at the Flag March, and kidnap soldiers. He was sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison for these actions and was released in January of last year as part of a hostage deal.

Despite knowing Rishk's history and Hamas connections, Salhab allegedly sold him the weapons, profiting only 3,000 shekels from the transaction. The indictment further states that Rishk asked Salhab to teach him how to manufacture explosives, an offer Salhab accepted. Rishk also sought to purchase a pistol and another rifle from Salhab after the initial sale, but these deals reportedly fell through due to insufficient funds.

Minister Ben-Gvir responded to the publication, linking the incident to threats against him. He recalled the assassination of Minister Rehavam Ze'evi and stated that he himself has been targeted ten times. Ben-Gvir asserted that the attempts to harm him are due to fear of his policies, including his plan for the "Disengagement 710" initiative to voluntarily deport Gazans, strengthening Israeli sovereignty on the Temple Mount, tightening prison conditions for terrorists, and implementing the death penalty for terrorists. He thanked the security agencies, including the Shin Bet, Magen Unit, Prison Service, and Israel Police, for thwarting threats against him and his family, concluding with the phrase, "He who believes is not afraid!"