Hamas Terror Cell Planned to Poison Israeli Bakery

(Yediot Ahronot-Hebrew) Felix Frisch - A Hamas terror cell from Hebron that was responsible for a homicide bus bombing in Jerusalem in May that killed 7 Israelis, planned a series of homicide attacks at wedding halls, kidnapping of soldiers, and mass poisoning at a bakery in Beit Shemesh - according to an indictment filed Thursday in Beit El military court against cell member Samar al-Atrash, 25. Al-Atrash, a resident of Shuafat in northern Jerusalem and holder of an Israeli identity card, was recruited into the ranks of Hamas in 1999. He planned to send a homicide bomber to the wedding hall at Kibbutz Tzora during a wedding, and insert poison into food products at a Beit Shemesh bakery where one of the cell members worked. Al-Atrash was valued for his Israeli ID card and as someone who knew Jerusalem. He was asked to gather information about when city buses were especially crowded, places to kidnap soldiers, and information on Knesset members and other leading figures in order to harm them. On one of his missions he purchases 4 fringed garments worn by Orthodox Jews, 10 kippot, a Magen David on a silver chain, and a bus pass. On May 17, al-Atrash brought home the bomber, Jemal Tahriri, and the next morning helped him put on his explosive vest and dress as an Orthodox Jew. They walked toward the French Hill bus stop, al-Atrash handed Tahriri the bus pass, and told him to board the next bus.


2003-07-25 00:00:00

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