By Al-Fassel | 2025-06-28

Israeli law enforcement disrupted a terrorist plot in May and arrested a minor from the Negev region on suspicion of planning terror activities inspired by "the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS), authorities announced June 16.

The suspect had sworn allegiance to ISIS and considered himself an operative of the group, police said.

He consumed and published extremist content while attempting to recruit additional members to join the cell, according to the authorities.

Following the investigation, prosecutors from the Southern District Attorney's Office filed an indictment against the suspect on serious security offenses, Ynet News reported.

Successful disruption

The incident is the latest example of how Israel, along with the United States and other allied nations, is taking a hardline stance to weaken violent extremist groups and prevent operational capabilities from taking root.

Israeli law enforcement agencies have vowed to continue efforts to prevent attacks and protect public safety, while officials have warned of a growing trend of minors becoming involved in terrorism.

Law enforcement announced the arrest of three suspects, including one minor, who are accused of planning terrorist attacks in Israel on behalf of ISIS, The Times of Israel reported May 26.

All three are residents of the northern town of Arara, the outlet said.

The suspects "swore allegiance to ISIS, received guidance from the group’s operatives in Syria and conducted test explosions in open areas with the intention of building a powerful bomb to target Israeli security forces," it said.

The Haifa District Attorney’s Office filed "serious indictments" against the suspects, it added.

Security forces on March 30 said they arrested a 17-year-old from Jisr al-Zarqa, in Haifa district, earlier that month.

They said the youth had sworn allegiance to ISIS several times and had been plotting a terrorist attack in north-central Israel, The Times of Israel reported.

Security forces found documents related to manufacturing explosives in the suspect’s possession, it added.

The Haifa District Attorney’s Office filed an indictment against the suspect, who was remanded in custody until the end of court proceedings.

Global crackdown

Regional security experts view the pattern of preventive arrests as evidence that sustained international campaigns have fundamentally altered the operational landscape for extremist groups.

Where ISIS once operated with relative impunity across digital networks, coordinated monitoring now ensures rapid identification and disruption of recruitment efforts, they told Al-Fassel.

The broader implications extend beyond individual cases, they said, adding that the targeting of ISIS infrastructure worldwide has created a deterrent effect.

This discourages potential recruits, while demonstrating to existing networks that operational security has been compromised at multiple levels.