A Palestinian Arab and former prisoner hailing from the PA-administered territories was arrested on Thursday for terror activities, including an attempted kidnapping with the aim of negotiating the release of more prisoners.
The Israel Security Agency (ISA) arrested former prisoner Murad Mahmoud Hassan Ali-Hassin, a resident of Qabatiya/Jenin in the Palestinian Authority-administered territories and an “illegal” in Israel, for attempted kidnapping in the community of Avtalion in the North.
His capture was due to high levels of cooperation between the Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Northern District police.
Ali-Hussin , 25, admitted his intention to kidnap. Identified with the Islamic Jihad, he had been jailed in 2008-2009 for terror activities, including an attempt to stab an IDF soldier at a checkpoint. Under questioning by the Shin Bet, he admitted that in April 2014 he made a number of attempts at terror in the Misgav jurisdiction in the Galilee region, including the kidnapping effort.
Attempted Kidnapping in Effort to Negotiate Prisoner Release
“On April 19, 2014, he attempted to enter a home in Avtalion, near [the city of] Karmiel, armed with a knife, in order to kidnap one of the residents in order to negotiate the release of Palestinian prisoners,” the ISA explained. “The plot failed after he was chased away from the area by family members.”
He also admitted to throwing Molotov cocktails at vehicles moving on the 7955 route near the Avtalion intersection on April 20 and the next day at a vehicle near Kibbutz Ashbel; there were no casualties. In addition, he tried unsuccessfully to start a forest fire in the area using Molotov cocktails.
Hundreds attend a recent demonstration in northern Israel in memory of terror victim Shelly Dadon. (Photo: Hagai Aharon/FLASH90)
According to the investigation, it appears that he acted alone, although he admitted to recruiting other illegals. In fact, other illegals suspected of terror activity were arrested.
Serious charged were filed on Thursday at the Haifa District Court Ali-Hassin, including attempted kidnapping with the intention of murder and/or extortion, aggravated assault, weapons offenses and intentional endangering of human life, ISA sources affirmed.
“The investigation results indicate, once again, the great danger of the entry of illegal aliens into Israel and highlight the need to close any gaps in the [security] fence, which are used to sneak into Israel,” the sources told United with Israel.
They stressed the “substantial increase of terror attacks involving PA residents who entered Israel illegally,” including the Tel Aviv bus bombing in December 2012, the abduction and murder of soldier Tomer Hazan in September 2013 and the murder of soldier Eden Atias in Afula in November 2013.
Written by: Atara Beck
Staff Writer, United with Israel