BACKGROUND INFORMATION 16 June 2004

Attributed to "security sources" [Provided by IDF Spokesperson's Office]

The over night arrest of two minor girls who attempted to carry out a
suicide bombing.

During an activity of security forces overnight in the city of Nablus
forces arrested two minors together with their fathers who were planning
to carry out a suicide bombing.

During the past days it has come to the knowledge of security forces
that the Tanzim infrastructure in Nablus is operating to carry out a
suicide bombing using a female bomber.

As a result of an activity conducted by security forces, forces arrested
on June 15, 2004 a Tanzim operative, Ruchi Ghassan Rashid Marmash, 20
years old, resident of Nablus and involved with the attempted suicide
attack.

During his interrogation he told security forces that the suicide bomber
is a 15 year old female, resident of Nablus, furthermore he told
investigators that the recruiter and dispatcher of the young female
bomber is a young 14 and a half year old female also from Nablus.

Both of the minors were located and taken to investigation together with
their fathers by security forces.

The suicide bomber a 15 years old girl, born April, 1989, resident of
Nablus was supposed to carry out the suicide bombing.

The recruiter of the bomber , 14 and a half year old also a minor, born
October, 1989, resident of Nablus, was tasked with finding a female
bomber, recruit the bomber and connect her with terrorists from the
Tanzim infrastructure.

The 15 year old suicide bomber admitted on agreeing to commit a suicide
bombing and being recruited by her 14 and a half year old friend. Before
being arrested by security forces she joined Taznim terrorists. Later on
she admitted changing her mind after being scared to carry out the
attack.

The minor recruiter admitted that Ruchi Marmesh asked her to recruit a
female in order to commit a suicide bombing, and that she recruited her
15 year old friend. The recruiter connected the suicide bomber to Tanzim
terrorists in Nablus:

Ruchi Marmesh who was arrested by security forces, Magdi Mari and Ismail
Haraz, senior Tanzim terrorists wanted by security forces, who are
directed and supported by the head quarters of Hizbullah in Lebanon.

The recruiter claimed that she did not know the location of the attack.

The recruiter also told investigators that the suicide bomber was asked
a number of times if she wanted to carry out the attack, in the begging
she accepted the offer, but later changed her mind.

Furthermore, the recruiter admitted to investigators that she was in
contact with a Jew through the internet, and claimed that her plan was
to persuade him to come to Nablus become a Muslim and commit a suicide
bombing.