Arab Student Accused of Plotting Mass Poisoning of Israelis

Prosecutors in Jerusalem have indicted a 22-year-old Arab student, Mohammed Shalabi, on charges of preparing a terrorist attack aimed at killing hundreds of Jews. Shalabi, a third-year pharmaceutical student and pharmacy assistant from Beit Hanina in East Jerusalem, allegedly radicalized following the events of October 7 and the subsequent war. He reportedly studied materials from the Islamic State (ISIS) and intended to use his professional knowledge to create explosives and poisons.

According to the indictment, filed on Thursday, October 8, Shalabi's initial motive was revenge for a parking ticket. He allegedly planned to place explosives near a pole where city inspectors frequently parked. This evolved into a larger plot, with Shalabi telling investigators he intended to "kill very many Jews."

Shalabi allegedly joined Telegram groups of terrorist organizations, including ISIS, and downloaded instructions for making explosives and potent poisons. He reportedly transcribed several recipes for deadly chemical mixtures by hand. He then traveled to Ramallah twice to purchase raw materials and equipment, buying small quantities from various vendors to avoid suspicion.

The indictment states Shalabi conducted an experiment at home, mixing substances in a bathtub and igniting them. He subsequently deleted most of the related files from his phone and cleared his browser history. The investigation was conducted by the central investigative department of the Jerusalem District Police, and prosecutors are seeking to keep Shalabi in custody until his trial concludes.