Two Palestinians were indicted after working to promote terrorist activity, acquire weapons, conduct shooting training, recruit operatives, and plan deadly attacks in Nablus, the Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency) and Judea and Samaria District Police’s Counterterrorism Unit announced on Wednesday.
During their interrogation, it was revealed that in 2024 they began considering carrying out an attack against National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. According to the indictment, after the two watched a video showing the minister arriving at the scene of an attack, one of the terrorists suggested carrying out a “drive-by attack,” waiting for the minister to arrive at the scene and then assassinating him. He later suggested using an explosive drone to carry out the assassination attempt and even attempted to obtain assistance in purchasing drone parts from China for this purpose.
According to the indictment, the two worked together from late 2023 to advance “military” activity. They acquired numerous weapons, including M16 and M4 rifles, Kalashnikov rifles, handguns, a hunting rifle, and ammunition.
They also worked to recruit additional terror operatives and train them, while conducting shooting exercises and discussing various attack scenarios targeting Israeli civilians and security forces.
The investigation also revealed that the two were involved in advancing plans for deadly attacks using explosive vehicles and drones against Israeli civilians and security forces, alongside planning shooting attacks and the abduction of IDF soldiers.
The court repeatedly extended the two suspects' detention, and after the Judea and Samaria District Police’s Counterterrorism Unit and the Shin Bet established an evidentiary basis, the Samaria Military Prosecution filed indictments against them. They will remain in custody until the legal proceedings conclude.
Ben-Gvir announces terror threat will not deter him
Ben-Gvir reacted to the announcement, declaring that it was the 11th time he had been targeted by terrorists.
"I have a message for all those enemies: This won't deter me or scare me," he wrote in a post on X/Twitter. "I will continue to lead a tough policy in the prisons, I will continue to lead the policy of demolishing illegal construction in the Negev, and I will continue to ensure that the death penalty law we passed is enforced and implemented.
"They fear and tremble at the thought that I will be the Defense Minister, because they know full well: With me, there are no compromises and no leniencies. What I say - I do."