Shin Bet busts major Hamas cell, arrests 60 in Hebron

Separately, the Israel Police announced the arrest of five relatives of the terrorist who carried out the 2023 attack at the Eli gas station in Samaria.

By JNS

The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) on Sunday announced a major operation against a Hamas network in the Judean city of Hebron, describing it as “one of the largest uncovered in recent years.”

According to the Shin Bet, the network had planned to carry out attacks “in the immediate future.” The operation was conducted in cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Police.

More than 60 terrorists were arrested during the operation, and 22 weapons were confiscated.

The Shin Bet also reported on Sunday that investigators had solved a deadly shooting that took place 15 years ago at the Bani Na’im junction near Hebron, in which four Israelis were murdered. No further details were provided in the statement.

Separately, the Israel Police announced on Sunday the arrest of five relatives of the terrorist who carried out the 2023 attack at the Eli gas station in Samaria.

The five, from the village of Urif, were arrested “on suspicion of incitement and supporting terrorism.”

The arrests followed the distribution online of a video in which the family members praised the deadly Eli attack, in which four Israelis were murdered and four others wounded by two Hamas-affiliated Palestinian gunmen. Both perpetrators were killed.

In the video, the relatives waved Hamas flags and expressed support for the terrorist organization.

The suspects were transferred for questioning by the central unit of the Judea and Samaria District.