Israel charges man who allegedly sought Hamas help, researched explosives to attack Ben-Gvir

Prosecutors say Muhammad Awad repeatedly tried to contact Hamas, researched explosives, and considered using a drone or guided missile to attack National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.Follow us on GoogleArrest of Muhammad Awad from Nazareth on on suspicion of promoting terrorist activity, July 21, 2026. (photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)BySARAH BEN-NUNJULY 23, 2026 13:26Updated: JULY 23, 2026 14:16A 29-year-old Nazareth man was indicted on Thursday after prosecutors alleged that he repeatedly tried to contact Hamas and sought the terrorist group’s help to attack National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.Muhammad Awad was charged in the Nazareth District Court with two counts of contact with a foreign agent, obtaining instructions for a terrorist act, unlawful possession of ammunition and obstruction of justice. He has been in custody since June 28.Awad was not charged with attempted murder or attempting to carry out a terrorist attack; the alleged plan against Ben-Gvir is part of the factual basis for the four charges filed against him.According to the indictment, Awad became interested in Hamas after viewing material connected to the October 7 massacre. He allegedly began regularly consuming Hamas content online and decided that he wanted to join the organization and act on its behalf from within Israel.In 2025, he allegedly emailed an address he found through a Hamas Telegram channel in an attempt to make contact. He later deleted the message, prosecutors said. Hamas did not respond.Hamas members look on as they escort members of the Red Cross towards an area within the yellow line, in Gaza City, November 12, 2025. (credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)Awad attempted to contact Hamas, researched explosivesDuring the same period, Awad allegedly researched missiles, explosive mechanisms, and methods of constructing weapons. Prosecutors said he watched online videos explaining how ballistic missiles operate and how an object with a similar detonation mechanism could be built.The terrorism-instruction charge is based on material he allegedly studied online. The indictment does not allege that Hamas trained him or provided him with instructions.Awad later allegedly considered attacking Ben-Gvir using either an explosive drone that could follow him and detonate nearby or a remotely controlled guided missile.He planned models of both devices and searched for materials to build them, according to the indictment. He eventually concluded that he did not have the necessary resources and stopped trying to construct the models, although he allegedly continued researching the subject.In March, Awad allegedly contacted Hamas again, this time seeking resources to advance the plan against Ben-Gvir. He again received no response.Prosecutors said Awad also possessed several rounds of 9mm and 5.56mm ammunition. The obstruction charge relates to steps he allegedly took to conceal his activity, including deleting material and using a virtual private network to hide parts of his browsing history.Ben-Gvir calls Awad a 'vile terrorist'The prosecution asked the court to keep Awad in custody until the end of proceedings. It said the evidence included a detailed confession, information extracted from his phones and ammunition seized from his home.The Shin Bet and Israel Police announced Awad’s arrest earlier this week, saying he was suspected of trying to enlist in Hamas, obtain resources for terrorist activity and attack a serving government minister. The indictment identified that minister as Ben-Gvir.“The indictment filed against the vile terrorist who planned to murder me only strengthens my resolve to continue on the path I have taken as national security minister: an iron fist against terrorism, determination and strength,” Ben-Gvir said.Ben-Gvir also said this was the ninth time terrorist organizations had tried to target him. He did not provide evidence supporting that claim, and it is not substantiated in the indictment, detention request or police announcement.Follow us on Google