Israeli security forces arrested an Arab citizen last month who planned to carry out a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, the Israel Police and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) said on Monday.
The suspect, identified only as a minor from the Negev, was arrested “on suspicion of intending to carry out terror activity inspired by the Islamic State organization,” the agencies stated.
According to authorities, the minor considered himself an operative on behalf of ISIS after swearing allegiance to the group and attempted to recruit additional terrorists to become part of the cell.
The suspect allegedly also “consumed and published extremist content that expresses identification with ISIS and incites terrorism.”
Prosecutors recently filed an indictment, charging him with “serious security offenses,” the police and Shin Bet announced on Monday.
Since the start of the Swords of Iron war on Oct. 7, 2023, there has been a growing radicalization among some segments of the Jewish state’s Arab minority.
Since the beginning of the war against Hamas in Gaza 20 months ago, security officials have investigated 80 cases involving citizens. There had been at least 26 cases of Israelis swearing allegiance to ISIS and other terrorist organizations, Israel’s Kan News reported in March.
The Shin Bet arrested 177 Arab citizens for questioning in cases involving national security throughout 2024, the public broadcaster reported.