Terrorist cell uncovered by IDF, Shin Bet at largest PA university

11 Islamic bloc activists involved in Hamas operations in Judea and Samaria were arrested at An-Najah University.

 Hamas supporters wearing veils and gloves take part in an anti-Israel rally in Jenin.  (photo credit: MOHAMAD TOROKMAN/REUTERS)
Hamas supporters wearing veils and gloves take part in an anti-Israel rally in Jenin.
(photo credit: MOHAMAD TOROKMAN/REUTERS)

Terrorist infrastructure at the largest Palestinian university, An-Najah National University was uncovered by a joint IDF and Shin Bet operation, IDF Spokesperson for Arab Media Avichay Adraee announced on Tuesday.

11 Islamic Bloc student activists involved in Hamas operations in Judea and Samaria were arrested on campus in Nablus.

According to Adraee's tweets, the suspects were involved in the "transfer of funds and organizing rallies in support of Hamas, in addition to incitement campaigns under the supervision and direction of senior Hamas officials."

Adraee warned of students being recruited to Hamas through the Islamic Bloc, which indoctrinated students into adopting Hamas's ideology. The Islamic Bloc demonstrated a "readiness to work" with the terrorist group, which covered students' university tuition fees. 

 A picture taken with a drone shows Hamas supporters taking part in a protest against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' decision to postpone planned parliamentary elections, in the northern Gaza Strip April 30, 2021. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM)
A picture taken with a drone shows Hamas supporters taking part in a protest against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' decision to postpone planned parliamentary elections, in the northern Gaza Strip April 30, 2021. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM)

Adraee added that in recent years, a number of terrorist cells that had planned operations had members that belonged to the Islamic Bloc at An-Najah University.

With 23,000 students and 11 faculties, An-Najah National University is the largest Palestinian higher learning institution in the West Bank.
An-Najah University ranked 1st among Palestinian institutions, 11th in Arab World, and among the top 100 in the Times Higher Education Emerging Economies Ranking for 2022.