Arrest of Tanzim Operatives in July and August

15 September 2009

Five Tanzim terrorists  (Fatah’s militant wing) from the village of Silwad near Ramallah were arrested in a joint IDF and ISA operation during the months of July and August. The militants were connected to the local militant Fatah bloc and are responsible for carrying out a number of terrorist attacks in the area and on Road 60, a central passageway for Israeli vehicles.

On July 9th, 2009 at around 06:00, a number of gunshots were fired at an Israeli vehicle traveling near Silwad. After an initial investigation, security forces arrested Maharan Iad and Tzalch Chamed, two Palestinian men from Silwad. Both men were arrested in the past on account of their active participation and membership of a militant Fatah group known for acting against those who allegedly cooperate with Israel.

During the investigation, the two gunmen admitted to carrying out the attack with the help of Mustafa Chamed, another Tanzim activist who was also arrested. Maharan Iad, who was arrested twice in the past and lived in the U.S. from 2006 to May 2009, admitted to planning the attack with Tzlach and Mustafa over the course of a few days during which they looked for the optimal location to carry out the attack. The investigation also showed that both Mustafa and Tzlach were involved in at least one gun attack in the area during 2005.

Two additional Tanzim activists, Jamil Chamed and Rami Chamed, also from Silwad, were arrested during the course of the investigation. The two men admitted to active participation in a number of terror attacks during the Second Intifada. Rami Chamed admitted to his direct involvement in four separate terror attacks during investigation. 

The ISA and IDF view arrests of this kind as part of their targeted activity to thwart and stop terror in Silwad. These attacks were carried out by village residents, members of the Tanzim terrorist bloc, some of who are also members of the Palestinian Authority security apparatus.

Top Terror Leader in Tul Karem Arrested Last Night

15 Spetember 2009

Last night, in a joint operation between the IDF, the ISA, and a special police force, Mohammed Mastafa Mahmoud Harouish and Tisir Kamal Samara were arrested in Tul Karem.

Harouish was born in 1983, and is the head of the military branch of Hamas in Tul-Karem.  Samara was born in 1984, and served as Harouish’s deputy.

Harouish has been wanted since 2004 for his involvement in Hamas terrorist activity. The terrorist cell he was affiliated with was responsible for the Passover bombing in 2002 in Netanya.

From as early as 2003, it is known that Harouish was actively involved in Hamas in the Samaria region.

In March 2004, Harouish was wounded by IDF fire and Hamas militants evacuated him for medical treatment to Ramallah. During this time he was involved in planning a thwarted suicide terror attack in Israel.  Subsequently Harouish was arrested by the Palestinian security forces and transferred to the Palestinian Authority’s prison in Jericho.

After being released from prison in 2006, Harouish returned to Tul-Karem.  He then became one of the commanders of Hamas’ military branch in the city, and chief assistant to Omar Gabber, the head of Hamas’ infrastructure. Harouish recruited militants, formed terror cells, and purchased weaponry. These cells were to commit terror attacks against IDF forces as well as of the Palestinian security forces.

This plan was thwarted as a result of many arrests within Hamas ranks, starting in May 2007 and culminating with the arrest Omar Gabber in March 2008.

After the arrest of Gabber, Harouish remained the top wanted terrorist  in the area.

As stated, Harouish was arrested together with his deputy, Adnan Tisir Kamal Samara, a Hamas militant, who was released just a year ago from a prison sentence in Israel, where he was jailed for his involvement in the forming of Harouish’s terror cells.

The two were transferred for questioning by security forces.