The Shin Bet security agency says it foiled a Hamas bombing attack at Bilu Junction in central Israel.
It says an Arab Israeli man, Mahmoud Miqdad, 30, was arrested on August 15 over the plot. Miqdad, the son of a Bedouin Israeli mother and Gazan father, was able to travel freely between Israel and Gaza and was recruited by Hamas to carry out terror attacks against Israelis, it says.
In late 2019, Miqdad agreed to carry out an attack. The Shin Bet says he then gathered intelligence for Hamas — including handing over information on the location of the Iron Dome anti-missile batteries — and scouted for a target. In recent months, he was also trained in Gaza in bombmaking.
He began assembling the bomb in June and chose his target — a bus stop at the Bilu Junction, it says.
He was arrested before making the attempt and will be charged today over the security offenses.
Nine of his family members, including his brother, have also been arrested over their possible involvement.
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From the Liveblog of
Monday, September 7, 2020
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