Baruch Hashem: Arab Teens’ Planned Attack on Lod Shul Thwarted

Two minors, one an Israeli Arab citizen and the other a Hebron resident, had planned a shooting attack targeting a shul in Lod during Shacharis on Shabbos, but b’chasdei Hashem the attack was prevented after their ISIS contact was apprehended in Jordan.

An indictment was filed Friday by the State Attorney’s Office against the two minors, aged 16 and 17, accusing them of belonging to ISIS and conspiring to carry out a terror attack at a Lod shul.

According to the charges, before August 2024, the Israeli minor initiated contact with ISIS members and supporters through social media platforms. Influenced by those interactions, he adopted the group’s ideology and chose to formally join its ranks. As instructed, he recorded a video pledging loyalty to ISIS and its leader, which he sent to his contact within the organization.

Due to his presence in Israel, the minor was offered a mission to execute an attack on Israeli civilians; he agreed. Under direction, he selected a shul in Lod as the target and sent a photo of the site to his handler, who approved the location.

The attack was intended to take place during Shacharis on Shabbos, when the shul would be full. Initially, the plan involved using a makeshift firearm; after scrapping that idea, they developed a new plan. It involved recruiting a third person to distract the shul’s security guard, allowing the Israeli minor to stab the guard with a poisoned knife, seize his weapon, and open fire on the congregants. ISIS operatives even sent the minor detailed instructions on how to create the deadly poison.

Later, the Israeli minor traveled to Hebron and met with the second minor. He explained his affiliation with ISIS, introduced the group’s ideology, and invited him to join. The Hebron minor agreed and pledged loyalty as well. The two then discussed the plan to conduct a joint shooting attack against Jews in Israel, to which the second minor consented.

The plot collapsed after the arrest of the ISIS contact who had been coordinating with the minors; he was taken into custody in Jordan. Nonetheless, the Israeli minor continued engaging with ISIS sympathizers online, running jihadist groups on social media and voicing intentions to carry out further terrorist activities.