Weapons and other materials found in East Jerusalem. Photo: Jerusalem Police.

5 residents of East Jerusalem were arrested last month by Israeli authorities after they were found to be hiding weapons and pipe bombs inside a refrigerator. Large amounts of cash, Hamas flags and pictures of terrorists were also found in their possession.

The two key suspects, according to Israeli media accounts, are a pair of brothers named Nazim and Mswadih, who claim they were not involved in planning any attacks on Israel and instead were simply trafficking in weapons.  They told authorities they received a portion of the weapons from the West Bank, while others were stolen from civilians.

“The investigation indicates the trafficking of weapons, but what was found, including pipe bombs and ammunition, stimulate the idea of a nationalistic aspect and this is also being examined,” Shadi Abu Tarif, who is an investigator assigned to the case, said.

3 illegal immigrants were also arrested in the operation undertaken by Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service.