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3. Israel Foils Two Lebanon-Linked Cells in West Bank

The Israeli Army’s Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee revealed on Tuesday that Israel’s Shin Bet security agency had thwarted the activity of two alleged terror cells operating in the West Bank under direct guidance from operatives based in Lebanon, as part of plans to carry out attacks against Israeli targets.

In a post on X, Adraee said Israeli forces and the Shin Bet arrested Mohammed Sadaqa, a resident of the village of Anza, in October on suspicion of involvement in hostile activity. According to the investigation, Sadaqa had previously traveled to Lebanon, where he was recruited by a Lebanese operative identified as Moussa Abu Saif, known as “Jibril,” to carry out activities in the West Bank and to recruit operatives to form armed cells.

After returning to the West Bank via Jordan, Sadaqa allegedly recruited additional operatives, including Mohammed Khalil from Ramallah and Mohammed Barahmeh from Anza. Both were later arrested and interrogated. Investigators said Sadaqa maintained contact with Lebanese operatives through social media platforms and even via online gaming applications.

In a related development, the Shin Bet uncovered a second cell allegedly directed by the same Lebanese network. Two residents of the village of Tal in Samaria, Diaa al-Din Hamad and Nasser Asida, both in their twenties, were arrested and questioned.

According to the Shin Bet, the two were recruited by a Lebanese operative identified as Mujahid, with assistance from figures known as “Abu Ahmad” and “Abu Wahid,” who communicated with them through social media and other online platforms. The suspects allegedly underwent firearms training, were instructed to photograph an Israeli town in Samaria, and agreed on the transfer of funds to purchase weapons.

Adraee said intelligence gathered during the investigation indicated that the Lebanese-based network was headed by Mujahid Dahsha, who has ties to Hamas and oversaw the recruitment of members of both cells to carry out attacks against Israel.

He added that indictments have been filed against the five suspects from the West Bank, stressing that the Shin Bet would continue its efforts to thwart attempts to carry out attacks against Israel and its citizens.