Itongadol.- Security forces arrested a Hamas member from Ramallah who planned on carrying out a kidnapping and shooting attacks, and who was operating under the instructions of a terror suspect released in the Gilad Schalit exchange and deported, the Israel Security Agency announced Tuesday.
The ISA named the Ramallah suspect as 26-year-old Bahar Sa\’ad. He was arrested in a joint ISA, IDF and Israel Police operation in May.
During his questioning, it became apparent that Sa\’ad met with Hashem Ibrahaim Hajaz, a Hamas member sentenced to ten life sentences due to his involvement in the murder of ten Israelis between 2001 and 2003.
Hajaz, who is currently based in Qatar, was released as part of the 2011 deal, in which Israel let over 1,000 Palestinian security prisoners go, and deported.
"During their meeting [in Jordan], Sa\’ad was recruited to Hamas, and instructed to advance shooting and kidnapping attacks against settlers and soldiers upon his return [to the West Bank]," the ISA said.
"Sa\’ad was also also instructed to recruit additional members, and agreed to travel to Sudan to undergo military training. He was arrested before he could act… He was supposed to receive four weapons from an unknown courier acting on behalf of Hajaz," it added.
The ISA said the investigation showed how once again ex-prisoners released in the 2011 deal return to terrorism, and attempt to secure the release of additional security prisoners.
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