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.
