Four Palestinians charged for planning ISIS-inspired attacks across Israel
Suspects allegedly watched Islamic State videos online, learned how to fire weapons and make bombs; targets included Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate and settlement of Kiryat Arba
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Three Palestinian men and one minor were indicted on terrorism charges Sunday for allegedly planning Islamic State-inspired terror attacks on civilians and security forces, the State Attorney’s Office announced.
The suspects, Majed Halayla, 31, Mohammed Sabah, 22, and Omar Abu al-Amal, 26, and an unnamed 16-year-old, all residents of East Jerusalem, were charged in the Jerusalem District Court with a series of security offenses.
The charges included membership in a terrorist organization, recruitment to a terrorist organization, and conspiracy to commit an act of terror involving aggravated murder.
The four suspects allegedly functioned as a cell inspired by the Islamic State terror group, studying methods for carrying out attacks involving shootings, car rammings, and the use of explosive devices.
“The defendants worked to advance the plan, including by gathering intelligence on potential targets, learning how to use weapons, and planning military-style training in preparation for carrying out the attacks,” the indictment said.
Some of their targets included Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate and the West Bank settlement of Kiryat Arba near Hebron, prosecutors said.
According to the indictment, the defendants consumed online ISIS content “documenting severe acts of violence,” with some even joining the group and working to recruit additional members.
Over the past year, a number of Israeli citizens and Palestinians have been arrested on suspicion of planning attacks after swearing allegiance to the fanatic group that originated in Syria and Iraq in 2013.
In February, ISIS-affiliated jihadists suspected of planning a terror attack were captured by Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Jericho.
In December, 20-year-old Kenan Azaiza from the northern Arab town of Daburiyya was indicted for membership in ISIS and for maintaining contact with a foreign agent linked to the terror group.
Also in December, an 18-year-old from the Negev was charged with plotting to carry out an ISIS-inspired attack on IDF soldiers at a bus station in Beersheba.
Prosecutors in the State Attorney’s Office claimed the defendant initially planned to stab soldiers with a knife he bought, but later resolved to carry out a suicide bombing.
The Times of Israel Community.