Tel Aviv [Israel], July 25 – Israeli security forces have successfully thwarted a planned terrorist attack in Jerusalem, arresting three eastern Jerusalem residents affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) in recent weeks, authorities announced on Thursday.
According to a joint statement from the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and the Israel Police, the suspects, all men in their 20s, were allegedly plotting to target security personnel at an eastern Jerusalem checkpoint. Their planned methods included a car bomb, firearms, or an explosive-laden drone.
The Shin Bet revealed that the radicalization of these individuals was heavily influenced by extensive online consumption of ISIS propaganda, including graphic videos of executions and battlefield violence. Investigators stated that the men actively supported ISIS’s extremist ideology and had sought to formally join the group’s ranks.
The initial arrest occurred several weeks ago, when officers raiding the first suspect’s home discovered a firearm and ammunition concealed within a sock. This apprehension quickly led to the detention of two more suspects from eastern Jerusalem.
“Under the influence of ISIS content, the suspects began formulating plans to carry out a large-scale terrorist attack targeting Israeli forces at the checkpoint,” police officials stated. “They explored multiple methods, including a car bomb design intended to cause maximum casualties.”
The ongoing investigation further revealed that one of the suspects had already begun acquiring weapons with the stated aim of “killing Jews,” and the group had started learning how to assemble explosive devices. Additionally, they were reportedly in contact with ISIS representatives in Judea and Samaria, seeking operational guidance and training to advance their deadly plans. The Shin Bet noted that the suspects ultimately intended to travel to Syria for further instruction and to formally become members of ISIS, with their online correspondence including efforts to secure weapons and training materials for attacks within Israel.