Hamas suicide bombing thwarted in Jerusalem

Hamas terrorists have been focusing their recruitment efforts on Jerusalem-based Arabs, many of whom are employed in the Israeli capital and have easier access to civilian targets.

A Jerusalem Arab was indicted Tuesday morning for planning a series of terror attacks in the city in cooperation with Hamas, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced.

Muhammad Fuaz Ibrahim Julani, a 22-year-old resident of the Shuafat refugee camp on the outskirts of the city, was arrested last month just days before he was to carry out a deadly attack in the capital.

According to the Shin Bet, Julani – after discussing a series of options with his handlers, including shootings and bombings in crowded places – had plans to carry out a suicide bombing on a public transportation bus in Jerusalem’s Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood.

One of the targets under consideration, before deciding on the bus bombing, was a store in Jerusalem where he had been employed.

Security forces also arrested two of his family members, who were concealing weapons from the authorities.

The bus attack was planned for mid-September, at the conclusion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which ended on the 16th of the month.

According to the Shin Bet, Julani was to be paid 7,000 shekels (appr. $1,850) by the Hamas terror organization, which has been focusing its recruitment efforts on Arab residents of Jerusalem to carry out deadly attacks on Israeli civilians.

By: World Israel News Staff