January 22nd, 2006

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Attributed to "security sources" - distributed by IDF Spokesperson

Senior Islamic Jihad terrorist arrested in Silat A-Hartiya

During a joint IDF, ISA and Border Police activity, this morning,
January 22nd 2006, in the village of Silat A-Hartiya, northwest of
Jenin, forces arrested Hassin Bahgat Anis Jaradat, 33, one of the
leading figures of the Islamic Jihad terrorist infrastructure in
northern Samaria.

Jaradat was arrested in the 1990s for his activity in the Islamic Jihad
terror organization. Following his release in 1996 he resumed his terror
activity in the organization.

The Islamic Jihad terror cell in the northern West Bank, of which
Jaradat is one of the leading figures, executed five suicide bombing
attacks in Israel during the year 2005, in which dozens of Israeli
civilians were murdered and hundreds were wounded:

* Suicide bombing at the "Stage" club in Tel Aviv in February
2005, in which five Israeli civilians were murdered.
* Suicide bombing at the "Sharon" mall in Netanyah in July 2005,
in which five Israeli civilians were murdered.
* Suicide bombing at the Hadera market in October 2005, in which
six Israeli civilians were murdered.
* Suicide bombing at the "Sharon" mall in Netanyah in December
2005, in which five Israeli civilians were murdered.
* Double suicide bombing at an IDF security crossing south of
Tulkarm in December 2005 - two suicide bombers on their way to carry out
an attack inside Israel during the holiday season exploded the
explosives concealed on their persons, killing an IDF officer, Lieut.
Uri Binamo.