A gag order was lifted on Tuesday 25 Nissan permitting the publication of the arrest of members of a Hamas terror cell that planned a terrorist attack this past Purim in the Abu Dis area of Jerusalem. The arrests were made at the beginning of last month by agents of the ISA (Israel Security Agency Shin Bet), the IDF and Israel Police.
As a result of their interrogation of the suspects, officials uncovered weapons including a pistol and an AK-47 assault rifle as well as ammunition. An indictment will be filed against the suspects in the coming days.
The cell members purchased a Hyundai Elantra to use in the shooting attack. They actively worked to gather information on their intended targets.
In custody are Ma’an Nur al-Din Ahmad Shar, 26, from Burqa. He is reportedly the cell leader. He was employed in the Abu Dis University cafeteria. He is a veteran terrorist who has been jailed in Israel in the past for shooting attacks against IDF soldiers.
Daud Raja Adwan, 32, from Azariya. He too served time in an Israeli prison for his terror activities.
It appears there are others connected to cell as well.
(YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem)