Shin Bet and the IDF said they have disrupted dozens of attacks over the past year that were directed from Turkey by Hamas operatives. The agencies said they can now identify the main figures in Hamas’s West Bank, or Judea and Samaria, network, which they described as responsible for promoting and directing attacks against civilians and security forces there.
According to the statement, Hamas operatives in Turkey have increased their activity over the past year, recruiting militants, moving weapons and transferring money into the territory to advance armed operations in the West Bank and inside Israel. The current head of the West Bank network is said to be Zaher Jabarin, while Ayman Abu Khalil heads its military wing.
The agencies said several investigations over the past year exposed Hamas members operating from Turkey under the West Bank network. They named Ayman Sharauna, described as recruiting operatives and advancing terror activity; Muhammad Malakh, originally from the Tulkarm area and splitting his time between Turkey and Qatar, who allegedly helped transfer money for terrorism; Majed Jaaba, who allegedly assisted in smuggling the weapon used in the November 2023 Tunnel Checkpoint attack; Walid Abu Nassar, who allegedly financed a terror cell in Bethlehem; and Salam Yaish, who allegedly recruited terrorists to carry out attacks.
Shin Bet and the IDF said the operatives were able to function freely from Turkey, meeting with activists from Judea and Samaria and using local infrastructure to pass instructions and funds. The agencies said they view any ties to Hamas terrorism and the transfer of money or weapons to terror cells in the West Bank as serious and will continue working to thwart threats and protect Israel’s residents and the state.
