The Shin Bet announced Tuesday it has dismantled a Hamas-affiliated terror network that recruited dozens of cells across Judea and Samaria to carry out attacks. Over 30 suspects were arrested, and indictments were filed against five Jerusalem residents, including Sabih Abu Sabih – son of a 2016 Jerusalem attacker – and Rashid Rishk, released in January’s hostage deal. The network planned a shooting and bombing at a Modiin restaurant and an attack on security forces in al-Eizariya, the agency said.
In a detailed announcement Tuesday evening, the Shin Bet publicly named the leaders of a Hamas-affiliated terror network dismantled earlier today, revealing specific plots targeting a Modiin restaurant and Israeli security forces in al-Eizariya. The agency identified Sabih Abu Sabih — son of the terrorist who carried out the 2016 Jerusalem attack — and Rashid Rishk, released in January's hostage deal, as the network's founders. Ahmad Azmi Bakri, an employee of the targeted restaurant, is charged with planning the attack there, while Muhammad Azmi Bakri is alleged to have instructed others on building explosive devices for a shooting attack on security forces in al-Eizariya. Weapons intended for the attacks were seized, the Shin Bet said, describing the network as 'significant and extensive.'
This latest development follows a series of reports throughout the day. At 18:04, Israeli security forces announced they had dismantled the network and filed indictments against five key suspects. The Zioneer reported at 18:14 that over 30 operatives from Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria had been arrested, with initial details of the Modiin restaurant and al-Eizariya plots. The evening update now provides the full names and roles of the indicted suspects, including the two Shabab al-Aqsa operatives who founded the network and recruited cells across Judea and Samaria. The earlier reports noted that Rishk was released in the January 2025 hostage deal, underscoring the continuing threat from released operatives.
The network is part of a broader Hamas effort to establish military infrastructure in Judea and Samaria. As The Zioneer reported on June 21, the Shin Bet publicly named Turkey-based Hamas operatives who directed dozens of foiled attacks in the region, highlighting the persistent threat directed from abroad. The current investigation is ongoing, and additional indictments against further West Bank operatives are expected in the coming days, the Shin Bet indicated.
3 developments
- DevelopingTeen from Judea and Samaria indicted by military prosecutor for planning terror attack
- StrongFive indicted in foiled Jerusalem-area terror infrastructure sweep; two hold Israeli citizenship
- DevelopingFive suspects to stand trial in Cyprus for Hamas-linked plot against Israeli targets
- StrongSecurity establishment prepares for possible war in Judea and Samaria after terror wave, Channel 14 reports
Source and signal
- Open-source intake