Shin Bet uncovers PFLP cell plotting terror attacks

The West Bank cell is indicted for allegedly initiating activities months ago, aimed at killing or kidnapping civilians or IDF personnel.

Palestinains rally for the PFLP 390 (photo credit: REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini)
Palestinains rally for the PFLP 390
(photo credit: REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini)
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and IDF, uncovered and indicted a cell of four terrorists belonging to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Shin Bet released for publication Monday.
According to the indictment filed with the Judea Military Court, the terrorists were planning shooting and kidnapping attacks.
According to Israel Radio, the cell included: Ahmed Sheikh, who had been imprisoned by Israel in the past for terrorist activity; Yusef Alyan, a resident of Anata and a former member of the Palestinian Authority security service; and Jassan Kraza, who was involved in terrorist recruitment.
The cell, which initiated its activities around April and May 2012, primarily aimed to kidnap an IDF soldier or a civilian, who they planned to use in an exchange for Palestinian prisoners, chiefly Ahmed Sa'adat, the PFLP's secretary-general, according to Israel Radio.
In 2006, Sa'adat was indicted in a military court on 19 terrorism-related charges. The charges against Sa'adat included overseeing the PFLP's terrorist operations, membership in an illegal organization, arms dealing and incitement. Sa'adat was also held responsible for the murder of tourism minister Rehavam Ze'evi in Jerusalem's Hyatt Hotel on October 17, 2001.
Earlier this month, the Shin Bet nabbed eight residents of Nazareth and Ghajar suspected of helping Hezbollah terrorists smuggle 20 kilograms of high-grade explosives into the country.