An indictment has been filed against Mohamed Salhab, an East Jerusalem resident who holds Israeli citizenship, over the alleged sale of weapons, including an M16 rifle, to Rashid Rishak, a Hamas activist with a history of security offenses. According to a report by i24NEWS, Salhab was aware of Rishak’s background and his ties to Hamas when the alleged transactions took place.
Rishak was first convicted at the age of 15 for involvement in a stabbing attack and was later convicted for planning an attack against police officers at the Temple Mount. He subsequently headed a terrorist cell that allegedly planned to assassinate National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, carry out a suicide bombing during the Flag March, and abduct soldiers. Rishak was sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison and was released in January of last year as part of a hostage-release agreement.
According to the indictment, Salhab nevertheless sold weapons to Rishak despite knowing his background and Hamas affiliations. Salhab allegedly received just 3,000 shekels for the transaction. The indictment further alleges that Rishak asked Salhab to teach him how to manufacture explosives, and that Salhab agreed to do so.
After completing the initial weapons deal, Rishak allegedly asked Salhab to obtain an additional handgun and rifle. According to the report, those transactions were never completed because Rishak did not have enough money to pay for the weapons.
Ben Gvir responded to the report, particularly to the connection drawn between the case and previous threats against him. “A minister in Israel was already murdered, Rehavam Ze’evi, may his memory be blessed, who proposed the idea of voluntary emigration," Ben Gvir said. “Ten times they tried to harm me, to eliminate me and threaten my children and my family and my children. They are trying to harm me because they are afraid of the policy I am leading."
“I will not be deterred and I will not stop," he added. “I will continue promoting the plan under which all residents of Gaza will emigrate voluntarily, strengthen governance at the Temple Mount, tighten the conditions for prisoners who are held for terrorist offenses in prisons, and implement the death penalty law for terrorists. Anyone with faith has no fear."