Last update - 00:00 20/06/2007
Shin Bet: Jordanian planning attacks in J'lem arrested in November
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
The Shin Bet and Israel Police on Wednesday announced that they in November arrested Ala Hamad, a Jordanian national and resident of East Jerusalem who had been recruited by Hamas to take part in terrorist attacks in Israel, in particular kidnappings.
Hamad was recruited by Hamas during a visit to Syria in 2004. He later entered Israel from Jordan in 2006 and resided in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Zur Baher.
After his recruitment, Hamad was trained in the production of explosives with timers and in how to behave in order to avoid suspicion.
Upon entering Israel and moving to Zur Baher, Hamad was engaged in collecting intelligence throughout Jerusalem ahead of the planned abduction of an Israeli citizen in order to bargain for the release of prisoners.
During this period, Hamad contacted his handlers in Syria on several occasions and prepared for the actual abduction.
Hamad was arrested in November at his home in Jerusalem along with bomb-making components. After his arrest, he admitted to planning an abduction to take place in December 2006.