Three Hebron residents arrested for online incitement to terrorism, support for Hamas
Three Hebron residents were arrested overnight on Sunday on suspicion of expressing support on social media for the terrorist attack in the West Bank on Friday, in which St.-Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem were killed, as well as for Hamas.According to police, the suspects posted photographs of the terrorists alongside messages of praise and songs glorifying them. One of the suspects referred to the attack as "Operation Hebron." Their online activity was monitored by the IDF's Central Command, and security forces raided their homes overnight.The investigation centers on posts the three suspects published after the attack. According to police, one suspect shared photographs of the terrorists and wrote: "The right is mine and the land is mine. You have no place on our land. This morning, they are alive with their Lord, receiving their sustenance."A song playing in the background included the lyrics, as quoted in the police statement: "In paradise, they will not accept a life of humiliation. Indeed, they are the finest of men."In addition to that post and another suspect's description of the attack as "Operation Hebron," investigators identified content calling for armed conflict against Israel.Suspect shares posts calling for armed combat against 'occupying Zionists'According to police, the third suspect shared statements by religious figures and others calling for Arab and Islamic armies to mobilize for war and armed combat against the "occupying Zionists."The suspect added his own message: "O mighty Allah, victory is near, O Lord of the oppressed."A song playing in the background included the lyrics: "Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and humiliate them, grant you victory over them, and heal the hearts of the believing people."Police said the posts were among numerous publications containing incitement and expressions of support for and identification with the enemy, including Hamas.Following the discovery of the posts, officers from the Special Patrol Unit (YASAM) and detectives from Israel Police's Judea and Samaria District raided the suspects' homes in Hebron overnight.During searches of the properties, officers seized the suspects' mobile phones and computers as evidence for the investigation. The three suspects, including individuals aged 17 and 50, were taken to the Hebron police station in the Judea region, where they remain under investigation on suspicion of incitement and support for terrorism.IDF, police conduct Hebron operation following terror attackThe arrests were carried out as part of an operation by Judea and Samaria District police officers and IDF troops from the Judea Brigade in Hebron following Friday's terrorist attack.As part of the operation, security agencies are working together to monitor social media and identify individuals who incite against Israel, support terrorism and its perpetrators, or glorify terrorists.Police said they would continue taking action against incitement and support for terrorism in public spaces and on social media, particularly expressions of support for attacks against security forces.Meanwhile, the investigation into the terrorist attack itself is being conducted by the counterterrorism unit of the Judea and Samaria District's Central Investigations Unit. Investigators are also examining the possible involvement of individuals who helped carry out the attack.
Read the original article on jpost.com (opens in a new tab)