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A Shin Bet report on the investigation into the terror attack last month at the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv, which left four Israelis dead and 17 wounded, reveals that the terrorists were inspired by ISIS, but did not establish official ties with the group.
Israeli security forces arrested three accomplices of the terrorists who committed the shooting attack on the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv in June, in which four Israelis were murdered and 17 were wounded, the Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) cleared for publication on Monday.
The two terrorists, Muhammad Muhamra and Khaled Muhamra, both aged 21, are cousins and residents of Yatta in the Hebron area.
Muhamra, a supporter of the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group, studied in Jordan and returned to his home in Yatta in January 2016.
According to the investigation, the two were inspired by ISIS to carry out the attack, but did not establish official ties with the group in Syria or receive any guidance or assistance from them.
Yunis Ayash Musa Zayn, 21 and also a resident of Yatta, was arrested in connection with the terror attack. He admitted to having planned the attack along with the two terrorists, but did not join them for what the Shin Bet termed as “technical reasons.”
He also admitted to assisting the terrorists by providing them with their weapons and ammunition, and turned in a Karl Gustav machine gun.
Police at the scene of the attack. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
The Shin Bet investigation revealed that terrorists began to plan the attack in January 2016. Originally, the two intended to attack an Israel Railways train. The choice to attack the Sarona Market was random and made on the day of the attack.
Before setting out to the attack, the group photographed themselves with an ISIS flag in the background, with hopes of the photo being published after they carried out the attack.
The two terrorists entered Israel through a breach in the security fence in the southern Hebron Hills. They were assisted by Salim Mognam, 23, a resident of Yatta, who has also been arrested as an accomplice. After infiltrating into Israel, they stayed in an apartment in Segev Shalom that is used by illegals and prepared to set out for the attack in Tel Aviv. They cut their hair and wore business suits as a disguise.
The terrorists used improvised assault weapons produced and purchased from local manufacturers in Yatta. They were also carrying knives dipped in rat poison to maximize their killing abilities.
They arrived in Beer Sheva by bus, and then took a taxi to Tel Aviv.
Ido Ben Aryeh, 42, from Ramat Gan, Ilana Nave, 39, from Tel Aviv, Dr. Michael Fayge, 58, from Ramat Gan and Mila Mishayev, 32, from Rishon LeZion, were murdered in the attack, and 17 others were wounded.
One of the terrorists was wounded by the responding security forces, while the second one was caught unharmed.
“The arrest of the terrorists and their accomplices underscores the considerable danger posed by local terrorism initiatives that exploit the accessibility of weapons, both properly made and improvised,” the Shin Bet stated.
The investigation also underscores the need for increased enforcement against those who transport and assist illegals who enter into Israel in spite of the security risks involved, the Shin Bet stressed.
Israeli forces also detained 10 Palestinian residents of Yatta on suspicion of involvement in manufacturing and trafficking in weapons and in transporting the terrorists into Israel.
The three accomplices were indicted in a Tel Aviv court on Monday and were charged 41 counts of murder and attempted murder.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel
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