JERUSALEM — Israeli authorities have arrested an Israeli Arab charged with obtaining materials for Hamas that could be used in terror attacks.
"Hamas has recruited Israeli Arabs in such areas as the Galilee,
Triangle and the Negev regions," a security source said. "The use of the
Israelis has been judicious to prevent a backlash by authorities."
Israeli officials said a support network had been developed comprised mainly
of Israeli Arabs, Middle East Newsline reported. Security sources said the network ensured the supply of bombs
and other material for suicide strikes in the Jewish state.
On Sept. 25, Israeli authorities arrested Mohammed Khalaf, from Jat,
located in
the Triangle region.
The information on Khalaf came from a Hamas operative in the West Bank
city of Tulkarm
identified as Waal Zakle. Zakle was said to have planned and executed
several attacks on Israeli targets in 2004 and 2005.
"Zakle said that he appealed to Khalaf and asked him for materials used
in making explosives — including potassium and sulfur, the sale and
possession of which in Judea and Samaria [West Bank] have been banned," an
Israeli government statement.
Officials said Khalaf has long been under Israeli surveillance. They
said that in August 2004, Khalaf, then suspected of weapons trafficking for
Hamas, was warned that his ties with Palestinians were regarded as a threat
to national security.
Many of the Hamas operatives in Israel have been Bedouins, including
military personnel, motivated by greed. Others were members of the Islamic
movement and related groups that oppose Israel's right to exist.
Khalaf was a former member of the Sons of Village movement and arrested
in the 1970s on security offenses. The government statement said Khalaf
maintained extensive contacts with Hamas operatives, particularly Zakle.
"It is clear that Hamas sought to capitalize on the fact that Khalaf was
an Israeli citizen with access and links to residents of Judea and Samaria
in order to procure dangerous materials for use in the perpetration of
terrorist acts," the government statement said on Oct. 20.
