Seven Arab-Israelis, including two minors, were arrested and accused of security violations, including plotting to abduct soldiers and planning massive terror attacks.
The Haifa district prosecutor filed indictment charges against five members of the cell on a series of security violations, including having ties with an enemy during wartime, assisting the enemy during wartime, contact with a foreign agent, and weapons violations. Two minors were also arrested last week for their involvement in the incident.
Due to a news embargo, however, permission for publication of the arrests and indictments was only granted Thursday afternoon.
Security forces found nine explosive devices ready for use and computer equipment and files that indicated terrorist activity in the homes of the terror cell members. During questioning, members of the gang admitted to practicing abducting soldiers and planting bombs.
Police believe the group planned to start carrying out attacks in the near future.
The indictment states that at the end of December, Abdullah Yunas Harubah from Kfar Marar established ties through the internet with a Gaza resident, who called himself Abu Kassam. The two agreed to ‘assist’ Gaza residents by plotting terror attacks in Israel. Harubah started learning how to make explosive devices and even prepared a remote-control bomb, which he kept in his home.
Harubah maintained a relationship with Sohaib Kabahah of the Wadi Ara town of Barta'a, and the two spoke about their desire to avenge Israel’s military activities in Gaza. They discussed forming a terror gang that would carry out their plans. In addition, the two exchanged detailed instructions on how to prepare explosive devices.
According to the indictment, Sohaib Kabahah decided to form a terror group that would execute mass terror strikes against IDF soldiers or other security officers. He recruited Kuteiba Kabahah, Muhammed Kabahah and Ahmed Kabahah. The four acquired weaponry and explosive devices, engaged in physical exercises and selected potential targets.
The cell members allegedly confessed to police after they were caught, and one even led police to the gang's weapons cache.
All five of the defendants have entered a "not guilty" plea.
Internet Terror
The use of the internet by terrorists is not new. Terrorists use online message boards, emails, and chat rooms to exchange information, coordinate attacks, spread propaganda, raise funds and recruit new members.
Terrorist websites can be used as virtual training grounds and as a venue in which to instruct rookies on how to build a bomb or even fire a surface-to-surface missile.
However, some terrorism experts say that internet terrorism is only effective if implemented with “hands-on” knowledge. According to terrorism expert Peter Bergen, last November’s Mumbai attack could only have been accomplished through physical training in an actual camp. “The people who did the Mumbai attack didn’t sit around reading about how to do attacks on the Internet,” Berger was quoted in a Council of Foreign Relations report.