IDF Spokesperson March 14th, 2010

Senior Hamas Terrorist, Responsible for the Murder of Over 70 Israelis,
Arrested Last Night in Ramallah

Maher U'dda, a Hamas military wing operative wanted since the end of the
last decade for his involvement in terrorism against Israeli civilians, was
arrested last night in a joint IDF, ISA and Israeli Police operation in
Ramallah.

U'dda is one of Hamas' founders in Ramallah. Born in 1963, U'dda is a father
of four and a resident of the village of Ein-Yabrud, northeast of Ramallah.
In his earliest terrorist activity in the beginning of the 90's, he formed a
Hamas cell in his village, that abducted and interrogated Palestinians
suspected of cooperating with Israel. In addition, the cell demanded weapons
in return to releasing those abducted, which in turn were used execute
terrorist attacks.

In 1998, U'dda was investigated by Palestinian security forces, and held in
a Palestinian prison for a number of months. By the time he was released, he
was already considered a senior suspect wanted by Israel.

According to information acquired regarding U'dda's terrorist activity
during the second Intifadah, he held a managerial role in organizing and
funding of a Hamas military cell that was responsible for the murder of 10
Israeli civilians.

U'ddas arrest is the final stage of thwarting Hamas' military headquarters
in Ramallah, which executed various terror attacks and is responsible for
the murder of more than 70 Israelis.

The arrest was made possible by pinpoint intelligence information provided
by the ISA.