Security forces bust Hebron terror ring

Hamas operatives planned kidnappings in order to barter for the release of Palestinian prisoners

Stuart Winer is a breaking news editor at The Times of Israel.

Israeli security forces in Hebron, April 2012 (photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)
Israeli security forces in Hebron, April 2012 (photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

Israeli security forces arrested 20 people in the West Bank city of Hebron who, they said, made up a terror network formed to kidnap Israelis.

It is not clear when the arrests by the army and the Shin Bet security service took place. The case, which has been ongoing for several months, was cleared for publication on Thursday.

In addition to the arrests, security forces also found 10 weapons the group was holding.

The terrorists intended to establish a Hamas command center in the city, which is home to a small Jewish community, and then perpetrate terror attacks. The kidnap victims were to be used as bargaining chips for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Most of those arrested are members of Hamas who have served time in Israeli prisons.

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