Israeli security forces stopped a potential terror attack planned by the Islamic Jihad terror group against an Israeli naval vessel. PM Netanyahu praised the Israeli navy and other IDF forces for foiling the attack.
The Plot
Israeli security forces revealed Wednesday that last month they arrested ten Gaza Strip residents, members of the Islamic Jihad. The terrorists plotted to launch a missile attack against an Israeli navy vessel and abduct the sailors on board.
The suspects allegedly planned to use one boat to distract an Israeli Navy ship. That boat’s job was to intentionally breach Israel’s six nautical mile blockade of the Gaza enclave. Then, a second vessel would then launch an anti-tank missile at the Israeli Navy ship. Following that, a third vessel would then approach the distressed Navy ship and abduct sailors on board. The goal of the operation was to take prisoners for a future prisoner exchange with Israel. During routine security patrols, the suspects, all of whom are residents of Rafah in southern Gaza, were arrested by Israeli Navy forces. After the boat strayed beyond the permitted fishing zone off Gaza’s coast, it caught the attention of the Israeli Navy
Passover Praise from PM Netanyahu
Netanyahu tours the Golan, wishes Israelis a happy Passover & thanks security forces. Especially to the Israel Navy & the Shin Bet for thwarting an Islamic Jihad terror attack. “Good work, I am proud of you. A happy holiday to you who are guarding us all the time even on Passover.” pic.twitter.com/btHSEWe7jy
— Behind The News (@Behind__News) April 4, 2018
PM Netanyahu: From the magnificent scenery of the northern Golan Heights, we send holiday greetings to the entire people of Israel and special greetings to IDF soldiers, Navy sailors and to the ISA for thwarting an attempted terror attack on our forces. I am proud of you. pic.twitter.com/yWAyRpEu22
— Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) April 4, 2018
WATCH: Israeli raid last month on a vessel off the #Gaza shore which the #IDF says was carrying 10 Palestinian suspects planning an attack using anti-tank missiles against navy ships @i24NEWS_EN pic.twitter.com/JeGIvElbY7
— Shai Ben-ari (@ShaiBenari) April 4, 2018
The plot, according to #ShinBet and #IDF, was devised by #IslamicJihad and involved 3 boats + a plan to abduct soldiers off of a navy ship once it had been damaged. 7 of those arrested were released, found to be unrelated. Pictured: Amin Jama’a, the ringleader @i24NEWS_EN pic.twitter.com/ixjwXMR1pT
— Shai Ben-ari (@ShaiBenari) April 4, 2018
Terrorists Arrested
The Israel Defense Force (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) identified one of the detainees as Amin Juma. Amin is a 24-year-old fisherman and a member of the Islamic Jihad. Under the organization’s guidance, he planned the attack.
Allegedly, Juma already began collecting information regarding the locations of several navy ships. He knew the number of soldiers and weapons on board the vessels – all in preparation for the attack.
Gaza Terror
Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman praised the IDF forces for thwarting the attack.
“This is proof of the true intentions of the terrorist organizations in Gaza… Who are attempting to disguise their murderous plans by organizing provocations on the security fence…Whose sole purpose is to provide cover for terrorists to carry out terrorist activities against Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
“The challenges at the Gaza border are diverse and complex,” Lieberman said. “I hope that this time, our friends on the left will not demand an investigative committee,” he added. He is referring to calls by the left-wing Meretz faction and Joint (Arab) List party for a probe into the army’s use of lethal force against protesters.