"Infiltration in a vegetable transport vehicle, point-blank shooting": details of the capture of Hamas's "Shin Bet" head
Positioning in the field two days in advance, a breach, a firefight - and a withdrawal: a new report revealed new details from the Gazan side about the Shin Bet operation to arrest Muin al-Arabid. The camouflage vehicles, identifying the weak point, the encounter with the terrorist's family, and his injury: step-by-step, according to all known information.
The dramatic arrest operation of Muin al-Arabid, the "Shin Bet" head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, included prolonged preparations in the field, creative camouflage, a breach of a villa, and point-blank shooting. In an article published on Wednesday in the Saudi newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat", additional details about the operation were revealed.
Surveillance
The Shin Bet had been tracking al-Arabid for a long time — the senior official in charge of internal security, intelligence, and the holding and transport of hostages. Intelligence personnel mapped out his daily routine until his weak point was identified. According to the report, the operation began at least two days before Tuesday. Initially, a vehicle of the Israeli force arrived in the area and was left there for real-time intelligence gathering. This vehicle was not part of the convoy that arrived on the morning of the operation.
Infiltration
Once operational conditions matured, the operation was carried out under the command of the Southern Command. The special force infiltrated al-Arabid's villa in Gaza City using camouflage vehicles — a white van and another vehicle carrying vegetables. Upon arrival, one group broke into the house where al-Arabid was staying with his family, while a second group secured the perimeter.
The Encounter
The infiltration quickly developed into a confrontation: two of the target's sons and two bodyguards opened fire at the breaching force. According to the report, al-Arabid's wife was killed in the exchange. Two of the senior official's sons and the two bodyguards were seriously wounded. Al-Arabid himself was wounded and captured by Shin Bet forces.
Withdrawal
To allow for a safe withdrawal, heavy air cover was activated. Fighter jets attacked military targets in the area to remove threats and isolate the scene. The Saudi newspaper noted that during the shooting and the strikes that accompanied the withdrawal, two children were killed. The Israeli vehicle left in the area was destroyed by missiles to prevent equipment or intelligence from falling into the hands of Hamas. Palestinians reported four deaths during the bombings yesterday.
Investigation
The operation ended successfully without casualties to the security forces. The wounded al-Arabid was transferred to Israel for further interrogation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip and stated: "Yesterday we took the Shin Bet head of Hamas. We will surely learn a few things." Later, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held a security assessment at the Gaza Division, where they met the Shin Bet fighters who led the operation.
The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed a focused activity to remove Hamas threats in the northern Gaza Strip. The arrested terrorist had been working to establish Hamas control and promote terror schemes against IDF forces. Security forces will continue to act to remove any threat.
