Israeli prosecutors filed an indictment Wednesday at Haifa Magistrate's Court against Khamis Suwaid, a 30-year-old resident of Hussniya in northern Israel, charging him with training for terrorist purposes. According to the indictment, Suwaid, who previously served in the Israel Defense Forces, took concrete steps to prepare himself to join ISIS and fight in its ranks outside Israel.
The indictment, filed by attorney Segev Adler from the Haifa District Attorney's Office, states that Suwaid served in the IDF between 2017 and 2019. Prosecutors allege that beginning in 2023 and continuing until his arrest this past August, he developed a growing interest in ISIS and formed an ideological identification with the terror group.
In 2024, according to the charges, Suwaid decided to leave Israel for Syria or Africa with the intention of joining ISIS. As part of his preparations, prosecutors say, he watched content and lessons from senior figures in the organization and began saving money for his planned departure.
But the preparation went beyond consuming ISIS-related content, prosecutors allege. During 2024, the indictment states, he downloaded manuals and watched videos dealing with missile and drone production, weapons use, and military tactics. Prosecutors argue these actions were taken to advance ISIS activities and as part of his preparation to join the organization and fight for it abroad.
