It was allowed to be published that as part of an operation by the Shin Bet in cooperation with the IDF and the Israel Police, nine Palestinians were arrested last month on suspicion of their involvement in the establishment of a terrorist infrastructure on behalf of Hamas in the village of Bidu in Benjamin.

Their investigation by the Shin Bet revealed that they were involved in the planning of an attack to kidnap a soldier. Meanwhile, the members of the infrastructure armed themselves, prepared explosives and charges, mapped out the escape routes and conducted intelligence gathering tours in order to learn the routine of the soldiers' activities in the Binyamin area and even prepared a place to hide the abductee. Arrest of the members of the squad foiled the kidnapping ahead of time.

Their investigation by the Shin Bet also revealed that the members of the infrastructure planned to carry out attacks with plans of shooting and explosives against IDF forces in the Binyamin sector. In order to realize their intentions, they engaged in self-study of the production of explosives and even set up an improvised laboratory for the preparation of explosives inside a residence.

In the sabotage laboratory that was seized and closed in the Shin Bet investigation, raw materials for the production of explosives and explosives, fireworks, pipes used to build explosives, etc. were found. In addition, "Carlo" type weapons were seized and maps on them that outlined the planning of the attacks and the escape routes.

In light of the severity of the attack that they planned - the members of the infrastructure operated in an isolated manner, while maintaining maximum secrecy in order to avoid revealing their activities.

It should be noted that about two years ago, a significant Hamas infrastructure was thwarted in Judea and Samaria that planned shooting and bomb attacks, including explosive attacks in Israel, some of whose members are residents of Bidu, relatives of the detainees.

The Hamas organization in Judea and Samaria continues to try to destabilize the area with the support and direction of the Hamas headquarters abroad and in Gaza. This, while blatantly ignoring the heavy price paid by the residents of Judea and Samaria and the damage to the fabric of their lives as a result of their activities.

The infrastructure investigation is ongoing.

The General Security Service, together with the IDF and the Israel Police, will continue to work even harder to thwart any attempt by terrorist elements outside to promote terrorist activity against the State of Israel and to bring those involved to justice.