Police arrest 6 suspected terrorists in flashpoint east Jerusalem area

Raid follows rearrest of Hamas operative released from prison last Thursday.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Updated: AUGUST 21, 2016 18:31
Man in handcuffs - illustrative (photo credit: INGIMAGE / ASAP)
Man in handcuffs - illustrative
(photo credit: INGIMAGE / ASAP)
Three days after rearresting an east Jerusalem Hamas operative less than 72 hours following his release from serving a 14-year prison sentence for plotting a mass murder, police have arrested six more suspected terrorists in the flashpoint neighborhood of Jebel Mukaber.
Sufian Abdu, also of Jebel Mukaber, was charged Thursday with incitement and supporting a terrorist organization after being feted at a hero’s celebration replete with Hamas flags following his release from prison for plotting to poison Israelis at Jerusalem’s Cafe Rimon, where he worked, in 2002.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said on Sunday morning that Abdu’s interrogation led to the arrests of the six unidentified suspects in the Palestinian neighborhood, known for chronically plotting or inciting violence on behalf of Hamas.
“This is part of the ongoing investigation as part of the arrest that was made last week of the man who was released from prison,” Rosenfeld said after the arrests were announced. “The names of the six suspects involved in terrorist activity were handed over, and the operation took place over the weekend.”
While Rosenfeld said he could not discuss the details of the investigation, he said it is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
All the suspects were arraigned at Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, where a judge ordered their remand.