Shin Bet nabs Hamas terror cell planning kidnappings

Three terrorists captured earlier this year allegedly plotting to kidnap IDF soldiers as leverage to release Palestinian prisoners.

By YAAKOV KATZ
Hamas terror cell 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Hamas terror cell 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
A Hamas terrorist cell in the West Bank was captured earlier this year after allegedly plotting to kidnap IDF soldiers and use them as bargaining chips in a bid to release prisoners held by Israel, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced Wednesday.
The cell consisted of three operatives, including a former member of the Palestinian Authority security forces arrested by Israel in 2006 for planning a similar scheme and released in February. Another member, from the village of Bido, was released from an Israeli prison in December.
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According to the Shin Bet, the three men planned to purchase a plot of land in the Ramallah area and dig an underground cell in which to hold kidnapped soldiers. One of the operatives was to live in a house above the cell and care for the soldiers.
The Hamas men were arrested in January and charged in a military court last month.