The IDF in Hebron. Photo: wiki commons.

JNS.org – The Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet) said Wednesday that it thwarted a plan by a Hamas-affiliated terrorist cell in the West Bank to kidnap Israelis in December.

According to the Shin Bet, the plot was organized by Muhammad Bel, a terrorist from Gaza who has been incarcerated in Israel’s Eshel prison since 2008. Bel recruited two Palestinian terrorist prisoners in the West Bank, Ali Harub and Rajab Salah al-Din, with the purpose of recruiting Palestinians outside of prisoner to kidnap Israelis.

The plot idea was hatched by a Gaza terror group called the Holy Warriors Brigades.

“The Holy Warriors Brigade is a terror group that splintered off from the Fatah Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and adopted extremist Islamic characteristics,” the Shin Bet said.

The Shin Bet added that the Holy Warriors Brigade maintains close ties with Hamas and has been involved in recent years on attacks against Israel, including rocket attacks.