Israeli security services successfully foiled a planned bomb attack on the Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv, as reported on Thursday. The group behind the thwarted attack is believed to have ties to ISIS.
According to a joint statement by Israel Police and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA), the plot was orchestrated by five individuals from the city of Tayibe, located north of Tel Aviv and in close proximity to the West Bank. The group had been actively planning the attack for several weeks.
Following a month-long covert investigation, authorities managed to apprehend the two leaders of the cell, both of whom were linked to ISIS. The police and ISA revealed that the suspects had intentions of traveling to ISIS combat zones abroad, establishing connections with foreign operatives, and had already recruited three additional Israeli residents.
During the course of the investigation, it was uncovered that the suspects had been watching videos of bombings in Syria and discussing the necessary amount of explosive material needed to target the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv. Prompt intervention by the Israeli security forces led to the timely arrest of the group, preventing the realization of their dangerous plans.
Israel Police shared a video of the arrest operation, depicting soldiers raiding a house and detaining three individuals. Notably, an Uzi machine gun was discovered in a plastic bag at the scene.
As of now, ISIS has not claimed responsibility for the thwarted plot, and further investigations are likely underway to dismantle any remaining threats posed by the group.
