Israel Police and security forces launched on Monday a widespread operation to identify and detain supporters of the Islamic State in the Arab sector following a deadly terror attack that left two Border Police officers dead.
As in the murderous killing spree in Be'er Sheva last week, Sunday's terror attack in Hadera was carried out by Israeli citizens affiliated with the Islamist group.
The attackers in Hadera were cousins, both residents of the northern Arab town of Umm al-Fahm. One of the gunmen was convicted in 2016 of attempting to join the Islamic State fighters, while the terrorist in the Be'er Sheva attack served a four-year prison sentence for the same offense.
CCTV footage of the Sunday attack showed the two men firing multiple rounds and calmly replacing magazines to fire more, mimicking ISIS-style operations. They wore clothes with a skull logo imprinted on them linked to the comic character The Punisher, which has been widely appropriated by far-right groups in recent years.
The Shin Bet domestic security agency and the police are expected to conduct arrests of suspects affiliated with the Islamic State in the coming days, fearing potential copycat attacks by sleeper cells.
Some suspects may be arrested and held under administrative detention — arrest and detention of individuals by the state without trial, alleging that a person plans to commit a future offense.
Such detentions are rarely used in cases involving Israeli citizens, unlike with West Bank Palestinians. Security forces are likely to request court orders before administrative detentions are made.
Security officials say they estimate there are up to dozens of Islamic State sympathizers among Israeli Arab citizens, some have actively attempted or even succeeded in reaching Syria or Iraq to join the Islamic State fighters in the past decade.
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A dagger recovered among the weapons in possession of the terrorists who carried out a deadly attack in Hadera on Sunday
(Photo: Israel Police)
Initial security assessments indicate there was no direct contact between the perpetrator of the deadly killing spree in Be'er Sheva last week and the terrorists who carried out the attack in Hadera on Sunday.
Police said the two terrorists who were killed by Border Police officers on Sunday were wearing body armor and an array of weapons that indicated they were prepared for an extensive attack that would have likely included hostage-taking as well.
The gunmen had automatic rifles, knives and additional magazines with hundreds of bullets stolen from IDF bases. Only swift action from special forces officers who were dining at a restaurant nearby prevented a mass casualty event.
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Weapons recovered from terrorists shot dead after their deadly attack in Hadera on Sunday
(Photo: Police Spokesperson)
The police were expected to tighten restrictions on Islamic State supporters who had served prison terms in the past.
But officials said the Israeli intelligence was facing a great challenge in locating and monitoring lone-wolf attackers or small sleeper cells operating under the radar.
A brother of one of the terrorists who carried out Sunday's attack was a member of the police force, posted to central Israel.
He was described by officers as an excellent member of the force and was said to be in shock following the attack.
First published: 11:26, 03.28.22