Israeli army says Shin Bet foiled Lebanon-linked cell in West Bank, with five suspects arrested

The Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Israel's Shin Bet security agency had thwarted the activity of a cell operating in the Samaria area, alleging it was directed by operatives based in Lebanon.

In a statement posted on X, Adraee said members of the cell were instructed to photograph a town in the area and carried out firearms training in preparation for what he described as a planned sabotage attack.

He said that in October, Israeli forces and Shin Bet arrested a man identified as Mohammed Sadaka, a resident of the village of Anzah in Samaria, on suspicion of involvement in hostile activity. During questioning, Shin Bet allegedly found that Sadaka had traveled to Lebanon, where he was recruited by a Lebanese operative identified as Moussa Abu Seif, nicknamed "Jibril," to conduct activity in the West Bank and recruit others to form armed cells.

According to the statement, Sadaka later returned to the West Bank via Jordan and recruited additional suspects, including Mohammed Khalil from Ramallah and Mohammed Barahma from Anzah, who were also arrested and questioned. The statement said Sadaka remained in contact with the Lebanon-based group through social media and a gaming application until his arrest.

Adraee also said Shin Bet uncovered a second cell allegedly directed by the same Lebanon-based group. He said two men from the village of Tell in Samaria, identified as Diaa al-Din Hamad and Nasser Asida, both in their 20s, were arrested and questioned.

The statement said the two were recruited by a Lebanese operative identified as "Mujahid," who was assisted by other operatives referred to as "Abu Ahmad" and "Abu Waheed." The Israeli army alleged the suspects were instructed to conduct firearms training, photograph an Israeli town in the area, and were promised funds to purchase weapons.

Adraee claimed that Shin Bet intelligence indicated the group was headed by a Lebanon-based figure identified as Mujahid Dahsha, whom he said had ties to Hamas.

He said indictments had been filed against five suspects from the West Bank, adding that Shin Bet would continue efforts to prevent attacks against Israel and its citizens.