Shin Bet Thwarts Terror Plots by Israeli Citizens in Negev
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
The Shin Bet has arrested 72 residents of southern Israel since the start of 2024 for suspected security offenses, including 67 Israeli citizens. Five individuals from Shagav Shalom were allegedly planning to form a terror battalion and attack Israeli targets like police stations and a bus station. Another suspect was arrested for planning an attack on a Beersheba nightclub. A senior Shin Bet official warned of the growing threat from local terror cells composed of Israeli citizens.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shin Bet arrested 72 Negev residents for security offenses, including 67 Israeli citizens.
- Five Shagav Shalom residents planned to form a terror battalion and attack Israeli targets.
- One suspect planned an attack on the Forum Club in Beersheba.
- A senior Shin Bet official warned of the danger from local terror cells.
- Indictments have been filed against six suspects in two separate terror plots.
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) revealed on Thursday that it has apprehended 72 residents of the Negev and southern Israel since the beginning of 2024 on suspicion of dangerous security activities. Of those arrested, 67 are Israeli citizens. Approximately 50 individuals have already been indicted.
Among the foiled plots was an organization of five young men from Shagav Shalom who allegedly planned to establish a military-style battalion, inspired by Palestinian terror groups in the West Bank. According to the Shin Bet investigation, these individuals intended to carry out attacks against Israeli targets, including the police station in Shagav Shalom and the central bus station in Beersheba. The suspects were arrested in May and June.
The investigation indicated that the cell leader actively worked to form the battalion, exhibiting Palestinian sympathies and promoting anti-Israel content and terrorism on social media. One member reportedly agreed to carry out a shooting attack on the Shagav Shalom police station and a combined stabbing and shooting attack at the Beersheba central bus station, having studied how to build explosive devices.
Another suspect agreed to join the planned battalion as an "engineer" responsible for creating explosives against Israeli security forces. A younger member allegedly planned an independent bombing attack after his release from custody, expressing support for ISIS and having planned a stabbing attack for the organization for two years. The fifth member also agreed to join the planned battalion and expressed willingness to attack the Shagav Shalom police station.
In a separate case, Abdullah Jerjawi, an Israeli citizen from Shagav Shalom, was arrested in July for allegedly planning an attack at the Forum Club, a popular entertainment venue in Beersheba. Shin Bet findings suggest Jerjawi incited terrorism, communicated with ISIS operatives, and expressed a desire to join the organization's combat zones abroad, while also showing solidarity with groups like Hamas and ISIS.
Serious indictments for terror offenses have been filed against six suspects in these two cases in the Beersheba District Court. A senior Shin Bet official warned of the danger posed by local terror cells composed of Israeli citizens, some with quasi-military characteristics, emphasizing that the agency's counter-terrorism efforts prevented these severe plots from being realized.
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