Shin Bet nabs West Bank shooting attack terror cell

The Shin Bet security services reveals details of an operation that caught a Palestinian terror cell responsible for a number of shooting attacks on security forces and Israeli civilians in the area around Jenin, in the West Bank.

The suspects were detained on suspicion of committing some 10 shooting attacks over the past few months around the communities of Shavei Shomron, Hermesh, Shaked, and the Salem Military Post.

Louis Ahmad Shapik Zaabana, left, and his cousin Mahmoud Shapik Zaabana, arrested on suspicion carrying out shooting attacks on IDF forces and the Israeli civilians in the West Bank, April, 2017. (Shin Bet security service)

There were no injuries in the attacks but some damage was caused to property. The frequent nighttime attacks “were a significant threat to civilians and security forces in the Samaria region,” the service says in a statement, giving the Hebrew name for the northern West Bank.

Security forces apprehended two suspects from Fahma, southwest of Jenin, on April 4. They were identified as Louis Ahmad Shapik Zaabana, born 1983, an attorney linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terror group, and his cousin Mahmoud Shapik Zaabana 26.