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IDF arrests Hamas members in overnight raid

Israeli security forces raided the city of Shechem (Nablus) and arrested 29 wanted men affiliated with Hamas. 

By: Aryeh Savir, Staff Writer, World Israel News

IDF forces, operating in conjunction with the Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) and police forces, conducted a night raid against Hamas’ terror infrastructure in the city of Shechem (Nablus) in Samaria Tuesday night, an IDF spokesman announced.

Several Hamas activists were arrested, including senior operatives and terrorists who had already served time in Israeli prison and have since been released. The spokesman said that a total of 29 terrorists were captured and turned over to the Shin Bet for questioning.

The IDF explained that Hamas has intensified its activities lately in the Shechem area and has been working to execute terror attacks against Israeli targets.

The spokesman revealed that the terrorists’ activities were directed and funded by Hamas headquarters abroad. In recent months, Hamas has been directing its terror activities out of Turkey.

Yaalon

Defense Minister Ya’alon (C). (Ariel Hermoni/MOD)

Speaking to US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on the issue, Minister of Defense Moshe Ya’alon said in November that Turkey was “playing a cynical game. Hamas is supported by Qatar and Turkey, even as Turkey is a NATO member. It is unacceptable that the terror organization has two headquarters – one in Gaza and one in Istanbul.”

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In November, Israeli security forces exposed a massive terror plan and arrested some 30 terrorists, including two Jordanians and a Kuwaiti national. The planning and training were conducted abroad, and the funding came from outside Israel as well.

The terror network intended to target Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium and its light rail system. Both attacks, if executed, would have caused mass casualties. The ring was also planning further infiltrations, kidnappings and car bombs.