The teenager intended to carry out an attack targeting Jewish police officers and soldiers at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
By United with Israel Staff
Israeli security forces arrested two suspects who allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS and planned attacks against security forces at the Temple Mount and an IDF base in northern Israel, the Shin Bet and Israel Police announced Friday.
The investigation began after authorities arrested a 16-year-old resident of the Galilee on Aug. 4 on suspicion of establishing contact with and pledging allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist organization.
Investigators found that in addition to pledging allegiance to ISIS, the teenager had begun viewing and searching online for material containing instructions on how to prepare explosive belts.
According to authorities, the teenager intended to carry out an attack targeting Jewish police officers and soldiers at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
Several days after the teenager’s arrest, investigators detained a second suspect as the investigation expanded.
The second suspect, identified as 19-year-old Haifa resident Ibrahim Ka’abia, was also suspected of pledging allegiance to ISIS.
During questioning, investigators determined that Ka’abia had planned an attack against an IDF base in northern Israel, according to the statement.
The arrests were carried out as part of a joint investigation by the Shin Bet and Israel Police’s Northern District Central Investigations Unit.
Following the completion of the investigation, the Haifa District Attorney’s Office is expected to file indictments against both suspects Friday and request that they remain in custody until the conclusion of legal proceedings.
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