ISIS-inspired terror suspect admits plan 'blow up' revelers at nightclub in southern Israel

Israel Police announced Wednesday that Abdullah Gergawi, who was formally charged Tuesday over his alleged involvement in a plan to carry out a terrorist bombing at the popular "Forum" nightclub in Beersheba, told investigators that he “wanted to blow up the people dancing there, whether they were Jews or Arabs.”

The 20-year-old resident of Segev Shalom (Shaqib al-Salam), a Bedouin village southeast of Beersheba, was charged with several offenses, including contacting a foreign agent, providing services or means to a terrorist organization, preparing to carry out a terrorist act, and receiving training or instruction for terrorist purposes.

During his police interrogation, Gergawi admitted to several of the charges and described how he searched online for instructional videos on how to make the device he allegedly planned to use in the attack.

Police said Gergawi also began consuming ISIS-related content on social media in 2022. He later began identifying with the group and became increasingly involved in online activity associated with ISIS.

According to police, he eventually made direct contact with ISIS supporters online and discussed various topics with them. They directed him to additional ISIS-related websites and materials, further encouraging his involvement.

“A video appeared for me about how to make an explosive filling. The video said that I needed agricultural lime, sulfur, and charcoal. I found lime in my storage room because I have an uncle who works in Jenin. I took a cup of lime from the sack and took from it an amount of 75 grams of lime, charcoal, and sulfur."

He continued, "I ground them up and mixed the materials and put them in a cup and took them to my grandfather’s house, to the concrete yard, where I tried to ignite them, and there was a spark and smoke."

Gergawi later joined a small group on the Signal messaging app whose members, according to police, were more radical than those he had previously encountered. Discussions focused on Israel and the broader concept of “jihad,” as well as the need to take action against groups the members regarded as enemies.

According to police, the group eventually shut down. Gergawi had reportedly urged its members to allow him to take direct action in response to their discussions, but they told him to be patient and that he would be contacted when the time came for him to act.

Police allege that the suspect subsequently decided to act on his own initiative and arrested him shortly afterward.

Gergawi is expected to stand trial for his crimes in the coming months.