June 23rd, 2007
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Attributed to "security sources" [provided by IDF Spokesperson's Office]

Senior Hamas terror-operative arrested

In a joint IDF and ISA activity, forces arrested a senior Hamas
terror-operative in the village of Arura, north of Ramallah. The operative,
Tzaelah Mahmud Saliman El-Aruri, 41, citizen of Arura, is considered the
founder of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades- the military wing of the Hamas
terror-organization in Judea and Samaria. In addition, Tzaelah El-Aruri is a
senior active member of the organization and is one of the leaders of the
Hamas in Judea and Samaria, in the prisons and abroad.

Between 1992-1997, Tzaelah El-Aruri was imprisoned. Later on, he was
arrested in 1998 and released in March of 2007. During the time he served in
prison he was one of the few leaders of the Hamas organization in the
prisons. During the past few months Tzaelah El-Aruri continued to openly
operate as part of the Hamas terror organization and was arrested.