Indictment: Galilee Man Allegedly Swore Allegiance to ISIS, Planned Attack on IDF Soldiers in Karmiel

Over the past few weeks, the Israel Police’s Northern District central unit and the Shin Bet completed a joint investigation, culminating this morning (Thursday) with an indictment against a northern Israel resident on suspicion that he swore allegiance to the terrorist organization "Islamic State" and planned to carry out an attack against IDF soldiers.

The suspect is Muhammad Abd al-Ghani, about 20, a resident of Nahf in the Galilee. Abd al-Ghani was arrested during a joint operation by the Shin Bet and the Northern District’s central unit, after intelligence was gathered pointing to his intentions and activities.

The investigation, conducted by the Shin Bet and the Northern District central unit, indicates that several months ago the suspect swore allegiance to ISIS. It also found that he attempted to purchase a handgun with the aim of advancing terrorist activity. According to the suspicion, the target he planned was IDF soldiers in the city of Karmiel. During his arrest, posters and various symbols were seized in his room, indicating his affinity with the terrorist organization.

This morning, an indictment was filed with the Nazareth District Court against the suspect by the Northern District Prosecutor’s Office, along with a request to order his detention until the end of the legal proceedings against him.

In a joint statement by the Shin Bet and the Israel Police, it was stated: "The Shin Bet and the Israel Police view with great severity the expanding phenomenon in which Israeli citizens seek to act on behalf of terrorist organizations against Israelis, and will continue to act resolutely in order to thwart any activity against the State of Israel".