IDF soldiers uncover a smuggling tunnel near Gaza. Photo: wiki commons.

A plot to kidnap an Israeli citizen and use that person as a bargaining chip for the release of Palestinian convicts, has been uncovered by the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service.

The Holy Warriors Battalion, a terrorist group with links to Hamas, and has been involved in rocket and gun attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians in the past, was behind the plan, which according to Israeli media outlets, originally came into being while the suspects were in jail together.

A number of the suspects are currently serving life sentences in Israeli prisons, including Assad Abu Sharia, who is from the Gaza Strip and is the group’s leader.

An operative of the Holy Warriors Battalion named Ramzi Azar, received instructions from another terrorist, Mohammed Baraka Amur to form a group to carry out the abduction. According to the information released by Shin Bet after a media embargo was lifted on the story, Azar was then instructed to travel to Saudi Arabia for financial support and further instructions from another member of the the terrorist group.