The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) arrested a Hebron-based terrorism cell in November that was affiliated with the Islamic State, security forces announced on Sunday.
According to the Shin Bet, the cell members, all residents of Hebron, planned to carry out a range of terrorist attacks, and detonated a bomb in an attempted attack against the IDF, which failed to cause injuries.
Security forces said Ahmed Shada, 22, confessed during questioning to setting up an Islamic State cell with two other suspects in their early 20s and plotting attacks. He also admitted to building a number of bombs, one of which he threw at an army unit.
The other two suspects were identified as Muhammad Zaro, 21, and Qassai Div Masawada, 23.
“They planned to murder an IDF soldier and use his weapon and uniform to carry out a shooting attack,” the Shin Bet stated.
Shahada and Masawada allegedly headed out to carry out an attack in recent months, but turned back without carrying it out.
Additionally, the cell plotted to kill an Israeli resident of Hebron at the Avraham Spring site in the city and steal his weapon.
Zaru was indicted at the Judea military court on charges of membership and activity in a forbidden organization, among other things. The other two will be indicted at the Judea military court in the coming days.