Terror Cell Planning Restaurant Attack Foiled in Modi'in

Israel's security forces, including the Shin Bet, police, and IDF, have dismantled a significant and extensive terror infrastructure that was planning attacks against civilians and security forces. Over 30 operatives from Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria were arrested as part of the operation. Today, serious indictments were filed against five key members, charging them with managing a terror organization, active membership, conspiracy, preparing for a murder with aggravating circumstances, weapons offenses, recruiting members, and other charges.

The investigation by the Shin Bet and the Jerusalem District's special investigations unit revealed that the infrastructure was established by Rashid Rishq and Zviach Abu Zviach, whose father was responsible for a deadly attack in October 2016. The two recruited military terror cells across the West Bank with the aim of carrying out attacks, including one targeting a restaurant in Modi'in where one of the infrastructure's members worked, and a shooting attack against security forces in Azaria.

Numerous weapons were seized during the investigation. It was discovered that Rishq and Abu Zviach had built a broad terror infrastructure under which they commanded military terror cells throughout the West Bank, intending to carry out attacks against Israelis and security forces. A joint statement from the Shin Bet, IDF, and police indicated that Ahmed Azmi Bakri and Rashid Rishq planned to advance an attack at the Modi'in restaurant where Ahmed worked. It was also revealed that Muhammad Bakri instructed Rishq and Muhammad Abu Zviach on preparing explosives after they expressed their intention to carry out terror activities. Rishq and Abu Zviach also planned a shooting attack against security forces in Azaria.