Shin Bet arrests Fatah Molotov cocktail terror cell

Suspects all from Palestinian village near Bethlehem, described by security forces as forming an extensive paramilitary group.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Palestinian throwing a molotov cocktail 370 (photo credit: REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman)
Palestinian throwing a molotov cocktail 370
(photo credit: REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman)
Some 30 Palestinians belonging to the Tanzim Fatah terror group have been arrested on suspicion of carrying out multiple Molotov cocktail and shooting attacks on a settlement, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced on Thursday.
The arrests occurred over the months of January and February and followed several attacks on the settlement of Migdal Oz.
The suspects all hail from the Palestinian village of Beit Fajar, near Bethlehem, and are described by security forces as forming an large paramilitary group.
“During questioning by the Shin Bet, the suspects confessed to carrying out the attacks, and to plans to carry out additional shootings in Gush Etzion – a plot that was disrupted by the arrests,” the Shin Bet said.
Six homemade firearms and a fake explosive device were seized in raids.
The Shin Bet said five Palestinians played leading roles in the attacks. The five were charged at the Judea Military Court with firing shots at a person, membership and activity in an illegal organization, weapons manufacturing and the hurling of a flammable object.
Recent months have seen a large rise of violence around Beit Fajar, the Shin Bet added.
The Tanzim group has been linked by security forces to several rock-throwing attacks, firebombings and shootings.
Earlier this year, the IDF announced the arrest of a member of Tanzim members for a rock-throwing attack on an Israeli vehicle in the West Bank, which critically wounded an Israeli woman.