IDF busts underground Hamas cell in Samaria built to hold hostages

Members of the cell conducted surveillance on a potential hostage but ultimately abandoned the plan after concluding they would have difficulty carrying out the kidnapping.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israeli security forces said they dismantled a 10-member Hamas-affiliated cell in Samaria that carried out past attacks, planned to abduct an Israeli civilian and prepared an underground site intended to hold a hostage, Arutz Sheva reported.

The operation involved the Central Unit of the Judea and Samaria District Police, the Shin Bet, and the Israel Defense Forces.

The suspects, from the Samaria village of Beita, were arrested following an investigation that linked them to multiple attacks and an attempted kidnapping plot.

According to the findings, the group had been active over the past two years, carrying out a series of explosive and shooting attacks.

The cell was responsible for explosive attacks on IDF forces in March and April 2025, in which three soldiers were wounded, two severely.

Investigators said the suspects also planned to abduct an Israeli resident.

Members of the cell conducted surveillance on a potential target but ultimately abandoned the plan after concluding they would have difficulty carrying it out.

As part of the preparations, one member dug a tunnel approximately six meters deep behind his home.

Authorities said the structure was intended to be used to imprison a hostage following an abduction.

During the arrests, security forces seized a large quantity of weapons, including M-16 assault rifles and ammunition, operational explosives, and ready-to-use remote explosive devices.

Following the joint investigation by the Shin Bet and the Central Unit of the Judea and Samaria District Police, indictments were filed against the 10 suspects at the Samaria Military Court.

The defendants face a range of charges, each according to their role, including attempted intentional homicide, shooting at a person, and attempted kidnapping.