Former IDF soldier charged with training to join Islamic State

Israeli judicial authorities have filed charges against Khamis Sawaed, a former soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, for allegedly attempting to join the Islamic State. According to the indictment, Sawaed, a resident of the Bedouin village of Hussniyya, became interested in the ideology of the extremist group in 2023. As reported by the Times of Israel, Sawaed is accused of undergoing training to prepare for combat alongside ISIS. Prosecutors stated that he had planned to travel to Syria or Africa to join the group. This case comes as Israeli security agencies maintain heightened vigilance regarding activities linked to jihadist groups among citizens.