The flag of the Syrian al-Qaeda-affiliated group Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Hamza Sami Sari Magamsa, an Israeli Arab in his 20s who allegedly trained at a camp of the Islamic State terror group in Syria, was arrested upon his return to Israel, authorities said Sunday.

Magamsa, a resident of the northern town of Yafia, is charged with contacting a foreign agent, being part of an unlawful association, conspiracy and unlawful travel. He was arrested Oct. 24, but the story was embargoed until Sunday at the request of law-enforcement officials.

According to the Israel Police, Magamsa told the Shin Bet security agency that he arrived in Turkey on Oct. 5. Together with two other Yafia residents, he crossed into Syria and arrived at an Islamic State recruiting center. The three were then transported to a training base, where they were taught how to handle weapons and underwent physical training.

The Shin Bet expressed concern about the trend of Israeli Arabs going to Syria for such training.

“These Israeli Arabs undergo military training there and are exposed to jihadi ideology, and there is a real danger that they will be used by the terrorists for hostile action against Israel and as an asset for intelligence gathering on the state,” the Shin Bet said in a statement.