Nazareth man arrested for planning to attack Itamar Ben-Gvir, recruiting terrorists for Hamas

ByAVI ASHKENAZI , AMIR BOHBOTJULY 21, 2026 13:43Updated: JULY 21, 2026 13:57The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and Israel Police arrested Muhammad Awad, a 29-year-old Israeli citizen from Nazareth, on suspicion of promoting terrorist activity, authorities announced on Tuesday.The investigation found that Awad had contacted the Hamas terrorist organization with the aim of joining and obtaining resources to carry out terrorist activity.He is also suspected of planning to harm National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.Gunmen stand guard at the funeral of Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas deputy military commander who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, February 7, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)Following the investigation, the Northern District Attorney’s Office submitted a prosecutor’s declaration to the Nof HaGalil, Nazareth Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday ahead of filing an indictment against Awad.The Shin Bet and Israel Police said they view any involvement by Israeli citizens in activity that endangers the security of the state and its citizens with the utmost severity.They added that they would use all means at their disposal to bring those involved in such activity to justice.This is a developing story.Follow us on Google