What Investigators Say They Found
The investigation was carried out over the past month by the Shin Bet and the central unit of the Israel Police Coastal District. According to their joint statement, the suspect planned to attack soldiers in the area of the Old City.
Police searched his home in Umm al Fahm and seized evidence and digital materials. Investigators said the findings supported the suspicions against him. The statement did not describe the planned method of attack or say how far the preparations had advanced.
Prosecutors Move Toward an Indictment
Police said sufficient evidence had been gathered, and on October 13 prosecutors filed a prosecutor's statement, the formal notice that an indictment is expected. The suspect is suspected of serious security offenses, including membership in a terrorist organization and preparing an act of terror.
His name has not been published. Until an indictment is filed and the case is heard, the allegations remain the account of the security services and prosecutors.
Part of a Wider Pattern
The case is the latest in a series of ISIS related arrests in Israel. In late August and early September, authorities arrested four people, including a minor, on similar suspicions.
On September 7, a 19 year old from the northern village of Shibli was indicted for membership in a terrorist organization. Investigators alleged that he expressed support for ISIS, watched the group's material and pledged allegiance to it.
Why the Old City Matters
Jerusalem's Old City, with its gates, narrow alleys and holy sites, is one of the most heavily guarded places in Israel. Soldiers and Border Police officers are stationed around its entrances, and the area has been the scene of several deadly terror attacks in recent years.
An attack on soldiers there would have struck at the heart of the capital, among crowds of residents, worshippers and tourists. The arrest shows the role of intelligence work in stopping such plans before they reach the street.
What Happens Next
The indictment is expected to be filed in court in the coming days. The Shin Bet and police have not said whether anyone else is suspected of involvement in the plan.
