Six Indicted for Jenin Rocket Cell
Prosecutors charged the group with building launch infrastructure and conducting test firings against Israel.
By Fatou Kim ·
Prosecutors indicted six suspected members of a terrorist cell on Tuesday morning. The charges stem from an investigation into the development of rocket production infrastructure aimed at Israel and its security forces. All six suspects are men in their 30s who reside in the Jenin area. Authorities arrested the individuals over the past several months.
The counterterrorism division of the Israel Police Judea and Samaria District Central Unit led the inquiry alongside the Shin Bet. Investigators questioned the suspects and seized weapons linked to the case. A prosecutor's declaration detailed the findings of the probe. The declaration outlined the group's alleged role in manufacturing rockets and explosive devices.
Investigators determined that the cell produced a rocket body and various explosive devices. The group carried out three rocket test launches during the investigation period. One suspect admitted to establishing the network and defining its objectives during questioning. He stated that the launches produced successful results regarding the power and range of the weapons.
That suspect described a process where group members reviewed the outcome of each launch. They adjusted the rockets based on those findings and conducted additional trials. The goal was to improve the capabilities of the weapons under production. A second suspect admitted to helping the group acquire explosives. He also said he sold weapons to other members of the cell.
Investigators believe the weapons sold by that suspect were among the items recovered when the group was arrested. The inquiry also identified communication between the main suspect and an individual outside Israel. That person used a messaging application to provide information on materials needed for manufacturing explosives.
Security forces recovered an M16 rifle and an RPG component during the operation. They also seized other weapons, documents, and instructional materials. The written materials contained specific guidance on producing explosives and rockets.
The indictment marks the formal stage of the legal proceedings against the six men. The case is based on physical evidence and the testimonies provided by the suspects.
