An Arab Israeli man from Tayibe, seven miles northeast of Kfar Saba, was indicted on terrorism charges Thursday for allegedly planning to kidnap an Israel Defense Forces soldier to as leverage to force Israel to end the war against Hamas in Gaza.
Prosecutors say Amin Hassan Abdelqader Azzam, 22, attempted to recruit others, sought a weapon, asked about religious approval in Islamic law for carrying out the act, participated in online Hamas circles and prepared with paintball gun practice and tactical gear orders.
Azzam was charged in the Central District Court in Lod with preparing to carry out a terrorist act—kidnapping for the purpose of murder or extortion.
Attorney Tali Karet from the Central District Prosecutor’s Office (Criminal) filed the indictment. In the request for detention until the end of proceedings, Karet argued that the defendant poses a clear danger, especially during these turbulent times when Israel is fighting on several fronts, and particularly because he is a citizen acting against the state.
Israeli police announced on Thursday that officers the previous day arrested a minor from the Bedouin town of Tel Sheva, which borders Beersheva.
The suspect was detained “on suspicion of posting inciting posters and glorifying the terrorist organization Hamas in the town of Omer in the Negev.”
In March, 21-year-old Kamel Nashaf from Tayibe was arrested on suspicion of joining ISIS and passing IDF operational footage to terrorists in Tulkarem.
In January, indictments were filed against three minors aged 15–17 from Tayibe for security offenses, including ties with terrorist groups, using weapons for terrorist purposes and live gunfire. Around the same time, another case emerged involving a minor who planned a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS.
