Hamas MP Aziz Dweik in Hevron
Hamas MP Aziz Dweik in HevronIsrael news photo: Flash 90

The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) released for publication on Monday that security agents have foiled a terrorist cell created in Hevron, led by an operative released in the 2011 Shalit hostage-prisoner swap deal.

Suspected members of the cell included 23-year-old Hevron resident Manjad Junidi, who was accused of contact with Basel Heimuni – a terrorist originally from Hevron who was sent to Gaza upon his release from prison under the 2011 deal to free IDF hostage soldier Gilad Shalit.

The Israeli soldier was held captive by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for more than five years after being kidnapped near the Kerem Shalom border crossing in June 2006.

Junidi was arrested in November on suspicion of heading and recruiting members for the Hamas terrorist cell in Hevron. 

In addition, 25-year-old Hevron resident Muhammad Shi’idam was also accused of membership in the terrorist cell, as well as charged with manufacturing a pipe bomb and planning to carry out a shooting attack.

A pipe bomb was seized during the arrest. 

Both were suspected of planning an attack on an IDF outpost in the Hevron area. They were charged at the Judea Military Court with a list of crimes that included possession and manufacture of arms, creating an explosive device, importing enemy funds, conspiracy to murder and membership in a banned organization.