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Israeli authorities detained a 29-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel on suspicion of seeking Hamas assistance to carry out attacks, including an alleged plot targeting far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Tuesday.
Mohammed Awad, a resident of Nazareth, was arrested in a joint operation conducted by the Shin Bet internal security service and the Emekim Major Crimes Unit of the Northern District Police.
Authorities allege that Awad attempted to join Hamas and contacted the group to obtain resources for what they described as terrorist activity.
He is also suspected of planning an attack against Ben-Gvir, a serving Israeli government minister.
Investigators said Awad worked for a security company in the northern city of Afula.
During questioning, authorities allegedly found that he had contacted Hamas in an effort to join the organization and receive assistance to carry out attacks.
The Shin Bet and Israel Police did not provide further details about the alleged plan against Ben-Gvir or the resources Awad was accused of seeking.
Following the investigation, the Northern District Prosecutor’s Office submitted a prosecutor’s declaration to the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court ahead of an expected indictment against Awad.
In a joint statement, the Shin Bet and Israel Police said they viewed any involvement by Israeli citizens in activity threatening the security of the state and its population “with the utmost severity.”
The agencies said they would use all means available to bring those involved to justice.
Ben-Gvir said the alleged plan marked the ninth time armed groups had targeted him.
“This is the ninth time that terrorist organizations have marked me as a target and tried to harm me,” he said.
He thanked the Shin Bet, Israel Police, the Israel Prison Service Intelligence Division, the Magen Unit and “above all, Almighty God” for preventing harm to him and his family.
Ben-Gvir said the alleged plot would not deter him from continuing what he described as prison reform, demolishing homes he considers illegal and implementing the death penalty for people Israel identifies as terrorists.
He also pledged to maintain Israeli sovereignty over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which he referred to by its Jewish name, the Temple Mount, establish civilian emergency response squads and arm Israeli citizens.
“You will not frighten me, and I will not be deterred,” Ben-Gvir said. “I will continue working around the clock for the people of Israel.”
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