Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Center for Special Studies (C.S.S)
October 12, 2005
The Israel Security Agency exposed Hamas terrorist infrastructures in the regions of Hebron and Ramallah that perpetrated severe terrorist attacks prior to and during the lull in the fighting (including a suicide bombing attack in Beersheba and the abduction and murder of Israeli civilian Sasson Nuriel). The uncovering of the infrastructures prevented numerous additional terrorist attacks planned to be perpetrated during the lull.1
Overview
⌧ During the past several weeks, the Israel Security Agency has exposed several operative terrorist cells belonging to the Hamas movement in the regions of Hebron and Ramallah. In recent years, these cells perpetrated severe terrorist attacks in which six Israelis were killed and more than 70 were wounded.
⌧ The succession of terrorist attacks perpetrated by these cells continued throughout the lull in the fighting, in complete contradiction to public
1 The present document is based on an Israel Security Agency report. The terrorists’ photographs featured herein are used courtesy of the Israel Security Agency. 2 statements made by senior Hamas figures claiming that the movement was willing to uphold the lull. Hamas did not publicly claim responsibility for most terrorist attacks perpetrated by these cells (such as the suicide bombing attack in Beersheba), which allowed the movement to enjoy the best of two worlds: it continued terrorist activity in the West Bank during the lull in the fighting while presenting the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian public opinion with a façade of compliance with the lull, thus evading the spotlight of the Israeli security forces’ counter-activities and anti-terrorism operations.2
⌧ What follows are several prominent characteristics of the exposed terrorist infrastructures.