Israel Says Hamas Cell in Turkey Helped Foil Dozens of West Bank Attacks

Shin Bet and the Israel Defense Forces said they have exposed Hamas militants operating from Turkey who helped advance dozens of attacks in Judea and Samaria that were later thwarted by security forces. According to the agencies, the network had been active for years, with intensified activity over the past year.

The men identified were Ayman Shraouna, who recruited operatives from Turkish territory; Mohammed Malah, originally from the Tulkarm area and dividing his time between Turkey and Qatar; Majed Jaaba, who helped smuggle weapons and operated from Turkey; Walid Abu Nassar, who financed a terror infrastructure in Bethlehem from Turkey; and Salam Yaish, who recruited terror operatives to carry out attacks from Turkey.

The announcement did not say when the cell was uncovered, but said its exposure revealed the identities of the Hamas operatives behind the overseas network. The agencies said the attacks they promoted in the West Bank were prevented by security forces.