3 ISIS terrorists arrested, officials warn of growing support among Israeli Arabs

Fifteen ISIS terror cells were uncovered across Israel in the last five months, Israeli security officials say.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli authorities recently arrested three Arab Israeli members of an ISIS terror cell in northern Israel recently, as security officials warned of an alarming rise in support for the terror group among Arabs with Israeli citizenship.

On Monday, police and the Shin Bet internal security agency issued a joint statement revealing that an ISIS cell had been uncovered in the Arab Israeli city of Ar’ara.

Three terrorists from the cell had pledged allegiance to ISIS and planned to carry out terrorist attacks in Israel, the Shin Bet and police said.

In a joint operation conducted by the Shin Bet, the Coastal District Police and the Menashe region’s crime-fighting unit, two adults and a minor were arrested on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks on behalf of ISIS.

According to the investigation by the Shin Bet and police, the three were involved in a confrontation with Border Police officers in January. After the incident, they reportedly contacted a foreign agent and decided to carry out attacks against Jews.

The investigation further revealed that the suspects received guidance from ISIS operatives in Syria on how to construct explosive devices, and they conducted test detonations in open areas with the intention of building a powerful bomb to target Israeli security forces.

The Haifa District Attorney indicted the suspects and requested their detention until the conclusion of the legal proceedings.

“The Israel Police, together with the Shin Bet, will continue to act decisively and with zero tolerance against any attempt to harm the citizens of the State of Israel,” a senior police official said.

“The arrest of the minor who planned to carry out an attack is the result of precise intelligence and a rapid security response. Anyone who chooses the path of terror will be caught, arrested, and brought to justice.”

A Shin Bet official warned that the case was not an isolated incident, noting the growing support among Israeli Arabs for ISIS.

“The investigation once again reveals a disturbing trend of increasing involvement of minors from among Israeli Arabs in terrorism. The Shin Bet views any involvement of Israeli citizens in activities that endanger the security of the state with great severity.”

The Ar’ara cell marks the 15th ISIS cell to be uncovered inside Israel in the last five months, the Shin Bet said.

ISISIslamic terrorIsraeli Arabs