Two Arab-Israelis Arrested for Assisting Hamas, Planning Terror Attacks

Jerusalem, 11 February, 2024 (TPS) -- Two Arab-Israelis are under arrest for assisting Hamas and planning terror attacks, it was cleared for publication on Sunday.

The suspects, Rami Habibullah, 43, and Khaled Saleh 35, were arrested on January 1 on suspicion of making contact with Hamas operatives abroad and providing the terror group with information about a security facility close to Habibullah’s home. The hope was that Hamas would fire rockets at the facility, the Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Police said. The two suspects are from the northern Israeli village of Ein Mahil, near Nazareth.

Habibullah is also accused of trying to recruit other Arab-Israelis under the guidance of foreign terror operatives.

Saleh was among the people recruited by Habibullah. According to the indictment, Saleh agreed to procure weapons and help carry out the attacks.

The Shin Bet said Habibullah’s activities were thwarted in the initial stages before any terror attacks could be carried out.

“This is a serious activity by Israeli citizens who hatched a malicious plan with Hamas operatives while the State of Israel is in the middle of fighting against that terrorist organization,” the Shin Bet and Police said.