The Shin Bet revealed Tuesday that in recent months it exposed a terrorist cell in the Hevron region that was planning to steal an Israeli citizen’s body, in hopes of trading the corpse for imprisoned terrorists.
The cell was affiliated with the Islamic Jihad terrorist group.
Several members were arrested. They were identified as Matez Mahmoud Taleb Abido, Bashir, Ayeed Mahmoud Zahada, Hazam Ouni Mahmoud Tawil, and Abdullah Mahmoud Ata Abido.
Hazam Tawil and Abdullah Abido have served previous prison terms for terror-related crimes.
The cell was led by Matez Abido, 33. Abido has been confined to a wheelchair since being wounded during a 2011 attempt to escape arrest.
The suspects have confessed to planning a terrorist attack. They said they planned to find a bus stop or hitchhiking post in the Hevron region filled with Israeli soldiers or civilians, and to open fire. They would then grab the body of one of the shooting victims and hide it, and would negotiate for its return, demanding the release of terrorists in exchange.
Despite his disability, Matez Abido was to have been the one to carry out the shooting itself.
Charges have been filed against the four suspects in military court.