A Hamas terrorist network operating out of the West Bank city of Hebron was uncovered by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the agency announced Tuesday.
The network recruited dozens of agents, including several women, who operated in coordination with Hamas headquarters abroad, as well as in the Gaza Strip, in order to promote terrorism, according to the Shin Bet.
Their investigation found that the suspects promoted Hamas activities in Hebron, including the recruitment of operatives.
The suspects coordinated activities in mosques, and were involved with preaching, increasing support circles, propaganda and incitement activities, and assistance to prisoners’ families, the Shin Bet said.
The suspects allegedly passed along intelligence and transferred funds to finance terrorism activities.
The cell is also said to have attempted to take over Hebron’s municipal activities and various charities in the city. At its head were Nizar Shehadeh and Faras Abu Sharah – both senior Hamas operatives who had served several sentences in Israeli prisons for terrorism offenses.
According to the Shin Bet, Shehadeh and Abu Sharah recruited a number of women who established a central committee to serve as the operational arm of the headquarters.
