Two Palestinians indicted for drone-based assassination plot against Israeli security minister

Prosecutors in the Samaria Military Prosecution have indicted two Palestinians from the Nablus (Shechem) region on suspicion of plotting to assassinate Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir with an explosive drone, according to the Israel Police and Shin Bet. The indictment details a proposed “bait attack” to draw the minister to a location before detonating the device, with one suspect reportedly trying to acquire drone components from China. investigators say the pair have been active together since late 2023, buying rifles, pistols and ammunition, conducting shooting drills, recruiting additional operatives, and planning shootings, vehicle-borne explosives, drone attacks and even kidnapping of IDF soldiers.

Both men will stay detained pending trial. Ben-Gvir posted on X that this was the eleventh attempt on his life and vowed to continue his hard-line policies. On the same day, police arrested a man in his 50s from An-Nazla ash-Sharqiya for posting graphic threats and praising terrorists online; he remains in custody while authorities seek to extend his detention. The police highlighted the role of the YALAP unit in monitoring such incitement, noting an intensified effort to curb online terrorist propaganda since the Oct. 7 attacks.