Israeli security forces last month arrested two Hamas militants suspected of plotting attacks against civilian targets across Israel, it was revealed on Sunday following the lifting of a gag order.

East Jerusalem residents Marad Kamel and Marad Neemer were detained in a raid at the Be'er Sheva Central Bus Station. The suspects, who both carry Israeli identification cards, were allegedly recruited by Hamas while residing respectively in Jordan and Dubai.

Israeli intelligence collected information on the suspects upon their return to Israel, and learned of a number of targets apparently plotted for attack.

The targets included the bus stations in Be'er Sheva and Jerusalem, the Malkha Mall in Jerusalem, the hotel district along the Tel Aviv promenade and the Israel Defense Forces base in Tel Hashomer.

The suspects were allegedly supposed to receive explosives and other weapons from Hamas, to stash in a cave in the Sataf Forest near Jerusalem.