Shin Bet Uncovers Major Hamas Infrastructure in Hebron: Dozens Arrested, Past Attacks Solved
The investigations revealed that senior Hamas operatives from Hebron, most of whom are former prisoners in Israel, recruited, armed, and trained additional operatives
Photo: IDF Spokesperson't Unit
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), in cooperation with the IDF and Israel Police, uncovers extensive Hamas infrastructure in Hebron, one of the largest exposed in recent years.
As part of a three-month operation, more than 60 operatives were arrested, imminent terror attacks were thwarted, and 22 weapons of various types were confiscated. Additionally, the shooting attack at the Bani Na’im junction from 15 years ago, in which four Israelis were murdered, was solved, as well as another attack at the Tunnels Checkpoint in Jerusalem in November 2023.
According to a Shin Bet statement, intensive daily activity led to the exposure of a significant and complex Hamas infrastructure in the Hebron area. Operating covertly and maintaining strict compartmentalization between cells, the network was planning to carry out imminent attacks against Israeli targets in both the West Bank and Israel.
Shin Bet investigations revealed that senior Hamas figures in Hebron—most of them previously imprisoned in Israel—recruited, armed, and trained new operatives. These operatives conducted weapons training, gathered intelligence on targets, manufactured explosives, and assembled explosive devices. Intelligence gathered from interrogations led to the thwarting of around 10 terror cells in Hebron and additional arrests. Among the confiscated items were 22 weapons of various kinds, 11 fragmentation grenades, and large quantities of ammunition. A concealed underground hideout used to store weapons and harbor fugitives was also discovered.
Beyond preventing future attacks, the investigation helped solve several severe past incidents. A terrorist involved in the shooting attack at the Bani Na’im junction on August 31, 2010—where Yitzhak and Tali Ames, Kochava Even Chaim, and Avishai Schindler were murdered—was arrested, along with additional individuals tied to the same terror network. Several individuals involved in supplying the weapons used in the attack at the Tunnels Checkpoint near Jerusalem on November 16, 2023—in which Corporal Avraham Fatena was killed—were also arrested.
A senior Shin Bet official stated that this is the largest and most complex investigation thwarted by the agency in the West Bank in the past decade. Most members of the network were previously incarcerated in Israel and are experienced in withstanding interrogations. Serious indictments are now being filed against the suspects, including charges of leading a terrorist organization, holding managerial or command roles, attempted murder, and even joint perpetration of intentional murder.
Shin Bet emphasized that it will continue to work with the IDF and Israel Police to thwart any attempt by Hamas to promote terrorism against the citizens and residents of the State of Israel.