Israeli forces raid homes of Arab families with ties to Hamas

Israeli security forces shut down a Hamas operation that was encouraging and funding terrorism. 

In a large-scale overnight operation, Israeli security forces raided the Jerusalem homes of seven families of terrorists who received funds and support from the Hamas terror organization.

A total of 14 suspects were arrested in these raids.

The  homes are located in the Arab neighborhoods of Jabel Mukaber, Ras al-Amud, At-Tur and the Shuafat refugee camp. The targets included the family of Abu Jamil Jasan Ben Mohammed, who took part in the shooting and stabbing attack at a Har Nof synagogue in November 2014, which claimed five Israeli lives, and the family of Ramadan and Fahmi Mashara, who are serving sentences in jail for abetting the 2002 attack in Gilo, which killed 19 Israelis.

Of note, one of the houses raided was that of the family of Hassan Nabi, one of the terrorists responsible for the 1994 kidnapping and murder of IDF soldier Nachshon Wachsman.

The security forces seized funds in Israeli and foreign currencies, totaling NIS 200,000 (53,000 USD), as well as checks, two vehicles, a truck and jewelry.

The operation is the result of extensive covert activity and focused intelligence-gathering conducted by the police and the Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency), which indicated that the families of the terrorists received ongoing financing from Hamas as support for their acts of terror.

“Israel’s police will not allow a terror group to support financially, or otherwise, the families of terrorists who committed murderous terrorist attacks… The long arm of the police will come to anyone who funds terrorism or expresses support and encouragement of terrorist activities. Their property shall be confiscated and they will be prosecuted,” the police stated.

By: Ilana Messika/TPS and World Israel News Staff