Police and Shin Bet Say They Foiled a Terror Cell: Four Umm al-Fahm Residents Arrested After Weapons Training

Commander of the Asher Crime-Fighting Unit (YLP), Chief Inspector Mortaji Marai (Photo: Police Spokesperson)

On Sunday morning, Israel Police and the Shin Bet said they disrupted an alleged cell from Umm al-Fahm that was preparing to carry out attacks in Israel. As part of the operation, detectives from the Asher District Crime-Fighting Unit arrested four city residents, all in their 20s, and transferred them to the Shin Bet for questioning.

Investigators say the suspects conducted training with illegal firearms as part of their preparations. According to the investigation, they purchased various equipment to advance their plan, including Airsoft guns used for shooting drills. Security forces later located and seized additional weapons in their possession: two pistols, an automatic 'Carlo' weapon, a long M-16 rifle, as well as magazines and ammunition.

The joint investigation by the Shin Bet and the police produced an evidentiary basis against the four. As a result, the Haifa District Prosecutor’s Office filed a prosecutorial statement, and in the coming days an indictment is expected, along with a request to keep them in custody until the end of legal proceedings.

In a joint statement from the police and the Shin Bet, they said: "The Israel Security Agency and Israel Police will continue to act to thwart any involvement of Israeli citizens in activity that endangers the security of the state and its citizens, and will continue to work together with all law-enforcement bodies to bring the full weight of the law to bear against those involved in this activity."