By: World Israel News Staff

Israeli security forces have uncovered a Hamas terror cell operating out of Samaria, under the direction of handlers in Turkey, Israel Police and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) announced in a joint statement Monday morning.

In an operation conducted by the Shin Bet, the Central Unit of the Judea and Samaria District Police and the IDF, six Palestinian Arab terrorists from the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Nablus (Shechem) in Samaria were arrested between January and February because of ties to Hamas and involvement in terror plots, including planning and executing shooting attacks and planting explosive devices.

The investigation revealed that the cell was directly guided by Hamas operatives in Turkey.

The suspects received tens of thousands of dollars in funding to carry out attacks against Israeli security forces and other targets in Judea and Samaria.

During the arrest of three of the suspects on January 29, an M16 assault rifle and approximately $40,000 in cash were seized. Another suspect arrested that same day handed over an additional $20,000.

Later, three more suspects were apprehended. All of the detainees were interrogated by the Shin Bet and the Central Unit of the Judea and Samaria District Police.

Following the investigation, and based on information provided by one of the detainees, security forces located a buried explosive device near the Jit Junction in Samaria.

Last week, preliminary indictments were filed against the terrorists, along with a request for their continued detention until the end of legal proceedings.

“The Shin Bet and the Israel Police will continue to act decisively, in full cooperation with all security forces, to dismantle terrorist infrastructures and ensure the safety of Israeli citizens,” the Shin Bet and police said.

In other news, WIN reported on Tuesday that the Egyptian military has bolstered its presence in the Sinai Desert bordering Israel in recent months, leading some experts to question if the mass buildup marks a violation of Cairo’s peace treaty with the Jewish State.

According to the terms of the peace agreement, which was established in 1979, Egypt’s military deployment in the Sinai is restricted to a specific number of troops.

But according to a security source, Egypt’s recent actions in the region go beyond its allotted quota and may constitute a violation of the peace treaty.

“Egypt has deployed forces beyond the permitted [amount], expanded port facilities, and extended runways at airports,” the source told the Jerusalem Post, adding that these moves are outside the bounds of the agreement.

The official was quick to add that Egypt could be in compliance with the agreement once again, by simply reducing its troop presence in the Sinai.

However, “Israel will not accept the situation and will not tolerate violations from Cairo,” the official warned the Post.

According to the Post report, Israel is engaged in ongoing negotiations over the matter with both the U.S. and Egypt.

The official told the Post that at currently in discussions with both Cairo and Washington on the matter.

“Washington is responsible for upholding the peace agreement and must ensure it is implemented as written,” the official said.

So far, Israel has refrained from commenting publicly on Egypt’s actions in the Sinai, though the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. wrote a letter to the Trump administration expressing concern over the issue.

          (worldisraelnews.com)