IDF, Shin Bet kill Beersheba bus attack plotter Bassel Haimuni

Haimuni, originally from Hebron, operated since 2004 as part of a military cell that carried out murderous attacks in Israel. In August 2004, Haimuni dispatched several suicide bombers to carry out a double attack on two buses in Be’er Sheva, in which 16 Israeli civilians were murdered and about 100 others were injured. In a joint operation by the Shin Bet and the IDF in October 2004, Haimuni was arrested and subsequently sentenced to imprisonment. In 2011, he was released as part of the ‘Shalit deal’ and deported to the Gaza Strip. Since his release, the terrorist has returned to recruiting attackers and directing terrorist activity. As a Hamas terrorist, the terrorist was involved during the war in the production and placement of explosives to harm our forces. His elimination constitutes an important and valuable closing of a circle. The IDF and the Shin Bet will continue to act against any terrorist who tries to advance and carry out terrorist plans against IDF forces and citizens of the State of Israel.