East Jerusalem resident arrested on suspicion of planning terror attack against hostage families

A resident of East Jerusalem has been arrested after he was found to be planning a terror attack against families of the hostages, the Israel Police and Shin Bet say.

In a joint statement, they say that the suspect, a 22-year-old from Sheikh Jarrah, had been planning to attack civilians at one of the weekly Tel Aviv rallies in support of the hostages as an act of revenge for the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

According to the security forces, the suspect had attempted to make contact with Hamas operatives in the West Bank and with the Jenin Brigades terror group to assist him with planning the attack and acquiring the necessary weapons.

The investigation into the suspect was launched last month by the Shin Bet and Israel Police Jerusalem division and an indictment is expected later today.