Israel says it uncovered a terrorist plot allegedly linked to Cyprus

Israeli prosecutors have filed charges against two 21-year-old residents of East Jerusalem in a case involving preparations for terrorist attacks, in which, according to investigators, a man living in Cyprus and allegedly linked to Hamas is mentioned.

According to the indictment, the suspects planned to carry out an attack on Israel Defense Forces soldiers using an explosive device. Investigators say the target of the attack may have been the Anatot military base near Jerusalem.

Israeli authorities say that while preparing for the alleged attack, the young men studied instructions for making explosives, and one of them began assembling a homemade explosive device.

Particular attention in the case is focused on the relative of one of the defendants, who lives in Cyprus. According to prosecutors, he was the one who coordinated the suspect's actions and instructed him to gather information in Israel. Investigators say the defendant photographed various locations, collected information about military checkpoints and passed the information to his contact.

The indictment also says that the suspect provided data on a group of Israeli Air Force cadets who were due to stay at one of the Jerusalem hotels where he worked.

Prosecutors say that during the exchanges, the alleged coordinator asked about the possibility of organizing an attack on the facility where the soldiers were staying. According to investigators, the defendant said he was ready to carry out the attack himself after additional preparation.

One of the defendants has been charged with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, contact with a foreign agent, attempted transfer of information to the enemy, and offenses related to the use of weapons for terrorist purposes. The second defendant is also charged with participating in a conspiracy to commit a terrorist act.

Israeli prosecutors are requesting that both defendants remain in custody until the conclusion of the trial. The information is based on the investigators' version of events, and the charges have not yet been examined by the court on their merits.