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Shin Bet Arrests PFLP Cell

The Israeli army locks down Bab a-Zawiya checkpoint in the center of Hebron. (File Photo - WAFA)
The Israeli army locks down Bab a-Zawiya checkpoint in the center of Hebron. (File Photo - WAFA)
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Shin Bet Arrests PFLP Cell

The Israeli army locks down Bab a-Zawiya checkpoint in the center of Hebron. (File Photo - WAFA)
The Israeli army locks down Bab a-Zawiya checkpoint in the center of Hebron. (File Photo - WAFA)

The Shin Bet arrested a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) cell that was behind a bomb plot on March 9, when a makeshift explosive was planted on a bus in the West Bank’s Beitar Illit settlement.

The cell was centered around the Bethlehem area, with members from the Dheisha Refugee Camp, Batir village and Beit Jaala.

The six arrested are: Wassim Ayuna, Ahmed Abu Naima, Mazen Abdallah, Muhammad al-Barak, Rami al-Ahmar and Nur Mahmoud.

Additionally, an Israeli woman was detained for aiding the executor to enter the settlement. The Shin Bet investigation revealed she was unaware of his intentions but has been indicted for her actions.

The investigation also revealed that the cell had been planning a series of other attacks.

The six were to be charged with attempted murder, manufacturing explosives, and membership in an illegal association.

The Shin Bet claimed that the cell revealed a widespread PFLP network directed by PFLP Chairman Ahmad Saadat and his deputy, Jamil Mizhar, as well as PFLP officials who are serving prison time in Israel.

Moreover, PFLP officials in Gaza and Lebanon were involved in the operations, with a Lebanese official specifically helping to direct the Beitar Illit attack.

The Shin Bet added that there are talks about establishing a wider military infrastructure for PFLP including recruiting individuals, encouraging further attacks against Israel, and purchasing ammunition.

Israeli media reported that in the wake of this operation, the Israel Prison Service moved Saadat to another prison.

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Lebanese Army Deploys South as Israel Withdraws from Border Villages

Civil Defense teams in Tyre are returning the bodies of those killed during the war for their final burial (Reuters)
Civil Defense teams in Tyre are returning the bodies of those killed during the war for their final burial (Reuters)
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Lebanese Army Deploys South as Israel Withdraws from Border Villages

Civil Defense teams in Tyre are returning the bodies of those killed during the war for their final burial (Reuters)
Civil Defense teams in Tyre are returning the bodies of those killed during the war for their final burial (Reuters)

Tensions remain high on Lebanon's southern border, with Israel continuing to violate the ceasefire daily. Efforts are underway, both within Lebanon and internationally, to prevent another war.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army is completing its deployment in the south as Israeli forces pull out of villages they had entered.

Lebanese officials are hopeful for calm and expect all parties to stick to the agreement. The monitoring committee is set to begin its work soon, with the French general arriving on Wednesday, following the American general who will lead the committee.

Their first meeting will be on Thursday, according to military sources.

As Israel began pulling out its troops and equipment from villages in southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported on Tuesday that the Lebanese Army had stepped up its presence in Tyre and nearby areas to ensure security.

This marks the start of the Army’s redeployment in the south, especially in border villages.

The Lebanese Army also announced it is recruiting volunteers to strengthen its forces in the south and help implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 after the ceasefire.

The ceasefire agreement calls for a 60-day truce, during which Israel is expected to withdraw from the southern villages. Hezbollah is required to end its armed presence south of the Litani River, where 10,000 Lebanese soldiers and UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) will be deployed.

Tensions, however, eased on Tuesday along Lebanon's southern border after a sharp escalation between Hezbollah and Israel on Monday evening.

Nevertheless, Israeli violations continued, with over 80 breaches recorded by the Lebanese Army in the past week.

On Tuesday, Israeli shelling killed a civilian in Shebaa, with the National News Agency reporting the man was struck by a missile from an Israeli drone.

An artillery shell also hit the Marjayoun Plain, and an Israeli Merkava tank crossed into the area near the border between Deir Mimas, Burj al-Mulouk, and Kfarkila in the south, stopping 200 meters from a Lebanese Army checkpoint.

Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV reported a convoy of 15 Israeli vehicles moved from the Wazzani border area toward Wadi al-Khayam, with part of the convoy heading towards the eastern part of Khiam. This followed reports that Israeli vehicles had withdrawn from eastern Khiam on Monday.

Israel also launched airstrikes on the town of Bayt Lifa in southern Lebanon and fired machine guns at Majdal Zoun.

In response, the Israeli military said it targeted a terrorist cell in the Bekaa Valley.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Monday that Israel might push deeper into Lebanon and no longer differentiate between the Lebanese state and Hezbollah if the ceasefire breaks down.

Katz stated, “If the ceasefire collapses, Lebanon will have no immunity,” adding that Israel would act with greater force if the war resumes.