Former Nablus Mayor Detained on Terror Activity Suspicion

The Shin Bet has detained Adly Yaish, the former mayor of Nablus, who held the position on behalf of a list affiliated with Hamas. This was reported today (Monday) by Israel Hayom. According to the report, Yaish was detained on July 23 and has been held for questioning ever since, with a ban imposed on meetings with his attorney. He is suspected of terrorist activity.

The detainee, 74, served as mayor of Nablus for two terms — from 2005 to 2012 and from 2017 to 2019. In 2005, he was elected at the head of an independent list affiliated with Hamas, which won about 76% of the vote. He had previously been detained by Israel; in May 2007, he was arrested and held in detention until August 2008.

As part of IDF counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria, raids and arrests of wanted suspects were carried out in several Palestinian villages. IDF forces operated in the Qalandiya refugee camp and Kafr Aqab, in the village of Tell, in Azzun east of Qalqilya, and in the village of Marah Rabah, south of Bethlehem. In addition to the arrests, the forces confiscated property.