Jerusalem, Israel. An operative of Hamas living in Cyprus was identified in an Israeli indictment as the alleged mastermind behind planned terrorist attacks, in a case that led to two arrests.
Planned attack at military base
The Cyprus News Agency reported that, according to Israel’s Prosecutor’s Office, H.G. and A.R.H., both 21 and residents of East Jerusalem, planned to throw an explosive device at IDF soldiers at the Anatot military base outside Jerusalem in the Judean Desert region.
Israeli authorities said the two watched videos with instructions on how to make explosive devices, and that one of them allegedly began assembling a bomb.
Alleged role of Cyprus-based relative
The reference to Cyprus concerns a relative of H.G. According to the indictment, H.G. contacted the relative, who is alleged to be a Hamas operative living in Cyprus.
Prosecutors said H.G. carried out intelligence-gathering tasks in Israel on behalf of the Cyprus relative, photographing locations and transferring data for military checkpoints and for a hotel in Jerusalem where he worked.
According to the charges, H.G. also allegedly passed on information about a group of Israeli Air Force cadets who were expected to stay at the hotel, including dates of stay and room numbers.
Prosecutors’ allegations
Prosecutors said the person reported to be living in Cyprus asked H.G. whether he would help if a suicide bomber was sent to the hotel. H.G. reportedly replied that he was willing to carry out an attack himself, but needed more preparation time.
H.G. is accused of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act with the purpose of murder under aggravating circumstances, contact with a foreign agent, attempt to transmit information to the enemy and weapons offences for terrorist purposes.
A.R.X. is charged with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act with the intent to murder under aggravating circumstances.