Shin Bet foils Ramadan terror plot

The Shin Bet revealed today (Sunday) that it successfully foiled a plot to commit a shooting attack during Ramadan against Israeli security forces and civilians.

Here is the full statement:

As part of a joint operation by the General Security Service (Shin Bet) and Israel Police, detectives from the LAHAV (Unit for Combating Crime) of the Coastal District from the "Asher" region, together with special forces, arrested Udai Mubarsham, a resident of the village of Makr in northern Israel, in February 2025 for Shin Bet investigation.

During his interrogation by the police and Shin Bet, it emerged that Udai had planned to carry out a shooting attack at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem against police officers and/or Jewish civilians during the current Ramadan using a pistol in his possession. This was to express his solidarity with the Palestinian struggle and in the event that Muslim prayers would not be permitted on the Temple Mount during the month of Ramadan.

The investigation further revealed that to advance his plan, he purchased an illegal weapon and conducted shooting practice with it. The pistol was later found in the possession of his brother, who was also arrested in the case. Additionally, Udai attempted to recruit other individuals to carry out the attack, who were located and arrested for investigation on suspicion of being part of the cell.

After completing all investigative actions, the police and Shin Bet were able to establish an evidentiary basis against the suspects. The Haifa District Attorney's Office filed an indictment against Udai and against his brother for helping him hide the pistol in his possession.

A Shin Bet official: "This is a significant prevention, given the assessment that if his plan to carry out the attack during Ramadan had been implemented, it could have disrupted the calm and led to a dangerous escalation in the Jerusalem area during a period of high security tension."

The General Security Service and Israel Police view with great severity any involvement of Israeli citizens in activities that endanger the security of the state and its citizens, and will continue to work together with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those involved in such activities face the full severity of the law.