ISA Press Release: ISA, Israel Police and IDF Thwart Hamas Kidnapping Plot
(Communicated by the ISA)

The following has been cleared for publication:

The Israel Security Agency (ISA), in cooperation with the Israel Police and
the IDF, have thwarted an attempt by Hamas to carry out a kidnapping in
Samaria during Chanukah.

In October and November 2017, the ISA uncovered a Hamas cell from the
village of Tel, near Nablus. The ISA investigation revealed that cell
members planned to abduct a soldier or local Jewish resident at one of the
bus stops near Nablus.

The detained cell members are:

Muad Ashtiyah, born in 1991, a Hamas member, who resides in Tel, was the
leader of the cell. He is suspected of planning the kidnapping; he also
acquired weapons and recruited additional members.

Mahmoud Ramadan and Ahmed Ramadan, born in 1998, Hamas members, who reside
in Tel. They are suspected of having been recruited by Muad Ashtiyah and
agreeing to join the cell.

Cell members were in contact with Omar Assida, a Hamas militant and member
of the Hamas command in the Gaza Strip who is currently responsible for
organizing military actions and the flow of funds from the Gaza Strip to
Judea and Samaria.

The Hamas command in the Gaza Strip provided guidance and financing for the
planned abduction, the goal of which was to bargain for the release of
security prisoners held in Israel.

It was also learned that cell members gathered precise intelligence on
routes, hitchhiking stops and the main junctions. The plan was for cell
members to disguise themselves as local Jewish residents and entice a victim
to enter their vehicle. The head of the cell also inquired about possible
safe houses in the Nablus area in order to hide the abductee in order to
bargain (see above).

The ISA seized weapons – including a pistol, electric shocker and gas
spray –that were intended for use by cell members in carrying out the
abduction. Cell members were due to acquire additional weapons for use in
the kidnapping.

The findings of the investigation have been transferred to IDF prosecutors
in Samaria for consideration regarding the filing of indictments.

The ISA will continue to take determined action to thwart terrorist cells
and planned attacks, especially by the Hamas terrorist organization which
works tirelessly to perpetrate attacks in Israel.