Jenin cell ran three rocket tests before arrests
Prosecutors say six men in their 30s built a production line and refined their weapons after analyzing initial launch data.
By Takeshi Davidson ·
Six men from the Jenin area faced criminal charges on Tuesday morning after authorities accused them of building a rocket production network targeting Israel and its security forces. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the Israel Police Judea and Samaria District Central Unit and the Shin Bet. All six suspects are in their 30s and were detained over the past several months.
Investigators stated that the group did not merely assemble weapons but actively tested them. Prosecutors noted that the cell conducted three separate rocket launch trials. A primary suspect admitted to investigators that the initial launches yielded successful results regarding power and range. Rather than halting production after these early tests, the group analyzed the data from each attempt to refine their designs and improve rocket capabilities.
The operation uncovered a supply chain for the necessary materials. Another suspect confessed to procuring explosives and selling weapons to the other members. Security forces recovered several items during the arrests, including an M16 rifle and a component from a rocket-propelled grenade. Officials also seized documents and instructional guides that detailed the manufacturing processes for both the rocket bodies and the explosive devices.
The probe revealed external coordination in the cell's activities. Investigators determined that the main suspect communicated with an individual located outside Israel. This contact used a messaging application to provide specific guidance on the materials required to construct the explosives. The information helped the local group navigate the technical aspects of manufacturing the rocket bodies and associated ordnance.
The legal proceedings were initiated after the counterterrorism division completed its inquiry into the infrastructure. The suspects are charged with establishing a system for producing rockets and explosive devices. The seized physical evidence, including the firearms and technical manuals, will serve as the basis for the prosecution's case in court.
