JNS
The six men allegedly provided an "oxygen pipeline" for financing terrorism across Judea and Samaria.
Israeli security forces recently uncovered a Hamas terrorist financing network run by Arab-Israeli citizens, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Police announced in a joint statement on Wednesday.
The network allegedly funneled millions of shekels from Hamas's Turkey offices to "terrorist infrastructures" in Judea and Samaria.
Following a joint investigation by the Shin Bet and the police's Lahav 433 National Unit for International Crimes, six Arab suspects have been indicted by the State Attorney's Office's Cyber Unit.
The six suspects are being charged with contact with a foreign agent and handling terrorist funds, among other offenses, the two agencies stated.
The suspects include Fadi Arabi, a 33-year-old from Arraba in the Lower Galilee, who allegedly coordinated the money transfers through his brother Nassim Arabi, who has been living in Turkey.
Nassim allegedly worked with Wajdi Saadi, originally from the northern Samaria terrorist hub of Jenin and now residing in Turkey, who, per Israeli authorities, operates as a key Hamas financier in the Anatolian country.
Fadi Arabi allegedly used his business ties with his brother to smuggle cash into Judea and Samaria in late 2024. Arabi also stands accused of recruiting William and Sami Khana, a father and son from Nof HaGalil (formerly known as Upper Nazareth), to serve as couriers, fully aware they were transporting terror funds.
After several members of the network were arrested during operations in Judea and Samaria, Arabi shifted operations, recruiting Muhammad Tzitz, 41, and Adham Dolani, 30, both from Acre.
Investigators say the Arab-Israeli men knowingly smuggled more than 3 million shekels ($800,000) from Turkey intended for terrorist groups.
Later, Arabi allegedly also recruited Suheil Bashir from Sakhnin, near Arraba, to continue the financial transfers on behalf of Hamas.
An unnamed Israeli security official cited in the statement described the case as a "unique," saying the six Arab-Israelis provided Hamas with an "oxygen pipeline" for financing its terrorism across Judea and Samaria.
"The Israel Police and the Shin Bet view with utmost severity any connection to terrorist elements and involvement in the transfer of funds intended for terror infrastructure in Judea and Samaria, which endangers the security of the State of Israel," the statement added.
The agencies stressed they were committed to stopping terrorist financing and prosecuting suspects "to the fullest extent of the law."
Since the start of the Swords of Iron War 18 months ago, there has been a growing radicalization among segments of Israel’s Arab population.
Since the beginning of the war started by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli security officials have investigated 80 cases involving Arab citizens. There have been 26 cases of Israelis swearing allegiance to ISIS and “global jihad organizations,” Kan News reported last month.
In total, the Shin Bet detained 177 Israeli Arabs for questioning in cases involving national security in 2024, the public broadcaster said.
