ISIS-inspired Arab-Israeli cell plotted tunnel from West Bank into Israel

The suspects were arrested on September 16, 2016, which was only revealed to the public once the indictment was submitted.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Two suspects from ISIS-inspired cell (photo credit: SHIN BET)
Two suspects from ISIS-inspired cell
(photo credit: SHIN BET)
Charges were filed against three ISIS-sympathizing Israeli men accused of attempting to build a tunnel from the Arab town of Taiba, located 12 km. east of Kfar Saba, across the Green Line into the West Bank, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) said on Thursday.
The suspects were named as Ibrahim a-Khalim Mahmoud Sheikh, 26; Muhammad Tami a-Khader Nashef, 32; and Amir a-Hakim Hafez Gahrah, 20.
Entrance to the tunnel on the Israeli side of the border (Courtesy Shin Bet)
The cell members were “inspired by ISIS” and acted voluntarily, the agency said. Their plot was discovered while in its infancy; the cell had only managed to dig a few meters before being caught.
The investigation revealed that the group had intended to use the tunnel to smuggle weapons into Israel, and “prepare for ‘Judgment Day.’”
One of the suspects had previously been detained in Turkey while attempting to cross over into Syria and participate in the civil war. Another had planned in recent months to arrive in Syria by sea on an improvised paddleboard.
The suspects were arrested on September 16, but the plot was only revealed to the public once the indictment was submitted.