Israel Arrests 40 Members Of The Hamas Network Who Will Plan Attacks In The West Bank

JAKARTA - Israel's security authority Shin Bet announced the arrest of about 40 members of the Hamas network in the Bethlehem region, the West Bank in a series of recent operations.

The Shin Bet said the arrests were made because dozens of members of the Hamas network were planning a shooting attack on Israeli officials.

Shin Bet explained, in collaboration with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Police, they have detained members of the Hamas network in recent weeks in about 15 separate raids.

The statement issued stated that a number of weapons used by Hamas members, including assault rifles, were also confiscated in the raids carried out.

According to Shin Bet, interrogation of the suspects revealed that the leaders of the Hamas network recruited and formed terror cells, got weapons, and planned the shooting of Israeli security forces and civilians.

"One of the terror cells is at a further readiness stage to launch an attack in the near future," the agency said, launching The Times of Israel November 13.

The Shin Bet stated that the arrests of members of the Hamas network "prevented shootings and massive bomb attacks that could result in significant (victims)" between troops and civilians.

The investigative files have been submitted to the Israeli Military Prosecutor to indict the suspects, added Shin Bet.