Plot planned by man freed in Schalit deal thwarted
Security forces nab Hamas member from Ramallah who planned kidnapping, attacks under instructions of terror suspect.
By YAAKOV LAPPINSchalit deal prisoners 370(photo credit: REUTERS)
Security forces arrested a Hamas member from Ramallah who planned on carrying out a kidnapping and shooting attacks. He was operating under the instructions of a terror suspect who was released in the Gilad Schalit exchange and then deported, the Israel Security Agency announced Monday.The ISA named the Ramallah suspect as 26-year-old Bahar Sa’ad. He was arrested in a joint ISA, IDF and Israel Police operation in May. During his questioning, it became apparent that Sa’ad had met with Hashem Ibrahaim Hajaz, a Hamas member sentenced to 10 life sentences for his involvement in the murder of 10 Israelis between 2001 and 2003. Hajaz, who is currently based in Qatar, was released as part of the 2011 deal, in which Israel released and deported over 1,000 Palestinian security prisoners.“During their meeting [in Jordan], Sa’ad was recruited to Hamas and instructed to advance shooting and kidnapping attacks against settlers and soldiers upon his return [to the West Bank],” the ISA said.“Sa’ad was also instructed to recruit additional members, and agreed to travel to Sudan to undergo military training. He was arrested before he could act... He was supposed to receive four weapons from an unknown courier acting on behalf of Hajaz,” it added.The ISA said the investigation showed how, once again, exprisoners that were released in the 2011 deal had returned to terrorism, and then attempt to secure the release of additional security prisoners.
