Arab-Israeli security guard plotted to assassinate national security minister, join Hamas

Israeli Arab from Nazareth who worked as a security guard at the Afula bus station was arrested after he contacted Hamas and plotted to kill Itamar Ben-Gvir.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Israeli security forces have arrested a 29-year-old Nazareth resident suspected of contacting Hamas and planning an attack against National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Shin Bet and Israeli police announced Tuesday.

The suspect, identified as Muhammad Awad, was detained in a joint operation by the Shin Bet and the Northern District police’s Emek investigative unit.

Authorities said their investigation found that Awad had approached Hamas seeking to join the terrorist organization and obtain resources for terrorist activity inside Israel. He is also suspected of planning to harm Ben-Gvir.

Officials did not disclose how Awad allegedly contacted Hamas, what assistance he requested or how advanced the suspected attack plan had become. No weapons or specific operational preparations were detailed in the initial announcement.

According to Channel 12‘s Amit Segal, Awad is employed as a security guard at the Afula central bus station in northern Israel.

The Northern District Attorney’s Office submitted a prosecutor’s declaration to the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court, indicating that prosecutors intend to file an indictment and seek Awad’s continued detention.

The Shin Bet and police said they viewed attempts by Israeli citizens to participate in activity threatening the country and its residents “with the utmost severity.”

The agencies said they would “use all means at their disposal to bring those involved in such activity to justice.”

Ben-Gvir thanked the Shin Bet and police and said the alleged plot was the latest in a series of attempts by terrorist organizations to target him.

“This is the ninth time that terrorist organizations have targeted and tried to harm me,” Ben-Gvir said.

He credited the security agencies with “preventing terrorists from harming me and my family” and said the threat would not cause him to change his policies.

“I will continue with prison reform, demolishing illegal homes, implementing the death penalty law for terrorists, ensuring that we become homeowners on the Temple Mount, opening emergency squads, and arming all Israeli citizens,” he said.

“Do not scare me, and I will not be deterred by you,” Ben-Gvir added. “I will continue to work 24/7 for the people of Israel.”

The case follows several previously reported plots against Ben-Gvir, whose positions on Palestinian prisoners, the Temple Mount and expanded civilian gun ownership have made him a prominent target of Hamas and other terrorist organizations.

In September 2025, the Shin Bet said it had broken up a Hamas cell from the Hebron area that planned to assassinate Ben-Gvir using explosive-laden drones. Investigators said the cell had operated under the direction of Hamas representatives based in Turkey and that drones were seized during the investigation.

Ben-Gvir said after that case that Hamas had already made repeated attempts to kill him and vowed that he would not be intimidated.

The Shin Bet and police did not say whether other suspects were connected to Awad or whether Hamas had responded to his alleged approach.

An indictment is expected to be filed in the coming days in Nazareth District Court.