The symbol of the second intifada who was saved from an assassination attempt: the sheikh whose arrest might transfer the territories

Bassam al-Saadi took part in terrorist operations already in the first intifada.

Over the years, he made progress in the Islamic Jihad, some of whose leaders were eliminated.

Even when he reached a senior position, he always made sure to stay in the shadows.

Tonight, despite the fear that his arrest would lead to escalation, it was decided to arrest him - and undercover agents pulled him out of his house

Amir Bohbot

02/08/2022

Tuesday, August 2, 2022, 11:20 a.m. Updated: 2:19 p.m.

• Share on Facebook

• Share on WhatsApp

• Share on Twitter

• Share by email

• Share in general

• Comments

  Comments

On video: Dragging on the floor between the bars: Documenting the arrest of the senior Islamic Jihad in Jenin (Walla system!)

Sheikh Bassam Rajab al-Rahman al-Saadi was born in 1960 and at the beginning of the first intifada he participated in the terrorist activities against Israel.

During the second intifada his house was bombed with missiles, and he was saved at the last moment from being eliminated.

During his years of activity in Hamas, and later in Islamic Jihad, he entered and left Israeli prisons numerous times.

Over the years, after targeted setbacks and arrests of senior Islamic Jihad officials, al-Saadi climbed to a senior position in Samaria, but tried to conduct himself in the shadows.

His wife, known as "Um Ibrahim", was shot in the past by the security forces, and also served prison terms in Israeli prisons.

Al-Saadi's sons, Sohib Fathi and Yahya, are also terrorist operatives, and the latter was even seriously injured in 2002 during an attempt to assassinate their father.

Recently, there were discussions in the security system about whether to arrest al-Saadi against the background of the violence that is increasing in the Jenin refugee camp, and the effort of the Islamic Jihad to carry out terrorist attacks against Israel.

Security officials confirmed that at the beginning of the discussions, there were parties who opposed his arrest, and estimated that the move might ignite violent resistance from the Gaza Strip since they see him as a symbol of leadership, command and resistance for decades.

A-Saadi in the interrogation room.

Today (photo: screenshot, documentation according to section 27 a)

Finally, against the background of increasing warnings about terrorist attacks and the intentions in Israel to offset the Islamic Jihad's capabilities throughout Judea and Samaria, the decision was made to arrest him.

The Shin Bet and the other intelligence agencies led an effort to find his hiding place, and last night the signal was received for the covert operation. An undercover force of the Judea and Samaria Police Force carried out a preliminary intelligence gathering operation in the heart of the refugee camp without attracting attention, since the camp is full of boys and children who form a network of observers. who warn of any suspicious entry into the area.

After it became clear that the building where al-Saadi was staying was not surrounded by armed men, it was decided to surround the building and additional forces entered the area.

During the activity, al-Saadi and his wife resisted arrest and called armed men who opened fire on the security forces.

The fighters were forced to barricade themselves in the building, but finally al-Saadi turned himself in, and the security forces repelled the terrorists who opened fire.

Security officials said after the arrest that the operation was excellent.

"The operation was carried out quickly and professionally in the refugee camp of a very senior member of the organization under the nose of all the armed men and it was seen as a humiliation," the sources explained.

"Any such action could lead to the possibility of terrorist reactions from the Gaza Strip and Syria, making the arrest of al-Saadi explosive and potentially igniting."

More in Walla!

Includes granola, sumac and pita shreds: a recipe for a halloumi pattoush salad

In collaboration with Rami Levy

IDF forces activity in Jenin. April 22 (photo: IDF spokesperson)

In the meantime, the security establishment is trying to calm the spirits and convey messages to Hamas to restrain the Islamic Jihad, otherwise Hamas targets will be attacked.

Meanwhile, the army raised the alert in the Iron Dome system and kept soldiers away from the border fence in the Gaza Strip.

Following the events, Prime Minister Yair Lapid held a security situation assessment with the participation of Acting Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, National Security Council Chief Eyal Hulta, Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, Shin Bet Chief Ronan Bar and other senior officials. At the same time, some residents of the south Received a message from the security personnel of the settlements, according to which the security situation is still tense and the roads are blocked. "I would ask you to be alert for any development.

Make sure there is a protected space around you and try not to walk around in the public space," the residents were told.

A-Saadi in the interrogation room.

Today (photo: screenshot, documentation according to section 27 a)

Along with the messages sent to Hamas to restrain the members of the Islamic Jihad, the security establishment took an unusual step and published the photo of the senior Jihad officer, Bassem al-Saadi, from the interrogation room, to show that he is doing well.

This, after the documentation of his arrest was published on social networks, in which he is seen being dragged on the floor and being bitten by a dog.

In addition, the security establishment announced that in addition to the overnight arrest of the wanted, more than 50 suspects of terrorist activity throughout Judea and Samaria were arrested in recent days.

Al-Saadi, 62 years old, is one of the prominent leaders of the terrorist organization, and throughout his life he served a total of 15 years in prison in an Israeli prison just for his activities in the organization.

Two of his sons, Islamic Jihad terrorists, were killed in 2002 by IDF gunfire. His wife and four other sons also served time in an Israeli prison.

• news

• Army and security

Tags

• The Islamic Jihad

• Janine