Information Department, Israel Foreign Ministry, April 1, 2004.
Twelve wanted terrorists were arrested early this morning in a joint IDF and ISA
operation near the Daheishe refugee camp, in Bethlehem. Among those arrested
are officers in the Palestinian security forces who were involved in planning and
carrying out terrorist attacks. The terrorists were hiding in a local psychiatric
institution.
IDF forces called upon the terrorists to leave their place of hiding and to turn
themselves in. In response, the forces were fired upon from within the
institution. An exchange of fire ensued and ended when the terrorists gave
themselves up.
The wanted Palestinians carried three pistols and a rifle.
This is not the first time in which terrorists have used medical facilities for
operations as well as a place of refuge; the use of medical facilities by terror
organizations is a violation of international law.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The IDF and the ISA arrested 12 wanted terrorists, including nine senior
terrorists (the majority members of Tanzim), who were engaged in the planning
of suicide attacks from their hideout in a psychiatric institution in Bethlehem.
The terrorists opened fire from within the institution. The exchanges of fire
ended when the terrorists gave themselves up.
The terrorists, operating in the framework of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades,
were engaged in the planning and carrying out of suicide attacks that were in
advanced stages of preparation.
It was the intention of the IDF to avoid civilian casualties and it is important to
note that there were no casualties in the operation.
The following terrorists were among those arrested in the operation:
Jamal Hamamreh – Born in 1967, a resident of Hussan, and listed among the
senior terrorists leading the Tanzim in the area of Bethlehem. He is an officer in
the Palestinian Preventive Intelligence apparatus, and was engaged in recent
months in the planning of suicide attacks to be carried out in Jerusalem, and
was involved in the planning of a terrorist attack in the coming days.
Ravia Ravia – Born in 1980, a resident of Daheishe, and deputy to Hamamreh.
He is a member of the Palestinian General Intelligence forces, and was involved
in numerous shooting attacks and attacks involving explosive charges. In
addition, Ravia was also involved in attempts to carry out suicide attacks
against Israelis.
Adel Hagazi – Born in 1971 and resident of Bethlehem. He is a terrorist
belonging to the ‘Tanzim and has been involved in numerous shooting attacks.
Zehran Zidat – Born in 1965, a resident of Hebron, and commander of a Tanzim
cell who had escaped to Bethlehem in order to seek refuge with the Palestinian
Authority. He has been involved in the planning and carrying out of terrorist
attacks.
Anan Zelah – Born in 1979, a resident of El-Khader. He is the commander of the
Tanzim in El-Khader, and involved in the planning and carrying out of terrorist
attacks.
Nazer Gadia – Born in 1973, a resident of Banei-Naim, He is a Tanzim terrorist
from the vicinity of Hebron who used the hospital as his hideout.
Hanni Bashir – Born in 1981, and resident of Daheishe. He is a senior Tanzim
terrorist operating in the area of Bethlehem, as well as an explosives engineer
who had began with the Tanzim in Daheishe, and founded a cell that operated
with Hamas in Bethlehem.
Hathem Yousef – Born in 1976, and resident of Duha. He is a Tanzim terrorist
and a member of Bashir Nefah’s special force (PA) in Bethlehem. He has been
involved in terrorist attacks.
Issa Harimi – Born in 1982, and resident of Bethlehem. He is a Tanzim terrorist
who was involved in an attempt to carry out an attack with an explosive charge
on April 4, 2003. The explosive detonated prematurely.
