Israeli security arrests 3 ISIS supporters, thwarts attack on Temple Mount

The Israel Security Agency arrested three Israeli Arabs who supported ISIS and were planning a terrorist attack on the Temple Mount. 

The Israel Security Agency (ISA/Shin Bet), in conjunction with the Israel Police, arrested three Israeli Arabs on suspicion of planning a shooting attack on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Two of the suspects were identified as Muhammad Masoud Jabarin and Amad Lutfy Jabarin, both 20. The name of the third suspect was withheld as he was a minor at the time the offenses were committed. All are residents of Umm al-Fahm, a predominantly Arab village in the Haifa District.

The ISA investigation shows that the three were planning to carry out a shooting attack at the Temple Mount compound similar to the attack on July 14, 2017, in which two Israel police officers – Kamil Shanan and Hail Stawi – were murdered. The assailants in that case also hailed from Umm al-Fahm.

The second attack was thwarted thanks to precise intelligence information that led to the timely arrest of the cell members even before they managed to procure weapons, the ISA revealed.

It was also learned that some cell members had considered attacking Christian and Jewish houses of prayer as well as security forces, primarily through vehicular attacks, over the Christmas holiday.

The ISA also discovered that two cell members are supporters of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization and had sought to perpetrate attacks on its behalf.

The ISA views Israelis that support Islamic State as a grave threat, especially those who are in contact with the organization and operate on its behalf inside the State of Israel.

“The ISA will continue to monitor suspects and take the necessary enforcement measures to thwart both the spread of Islamic State ideology in Israel and the carrying out of any actions whatsoever that harm the security of the state,” the security agency said in a statement.