Today in Focus How an undercover cop foiled an IS plot to massacre Britain’s Jews
Feb 16, 2026
Chris Osu, The Guardian’s community affairs correspondent in Manchester, outlines how two Tunisia-born men living in the UK plotted an assault on Jewish sites. He traces their hidden radicalisation, online recruitment, an undercover operative’s infiltration, reconnaissance and weapons plans, and the dramatic sting and arrests that stopped a planned massacre.
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Hotel Sting Ends In Armed Arrest
- Walid Sadawi drove to the Last Drop Hotel expecting assault rifles, a pistol and 200 rounds of ammunition.
- He was met instead by armed police after an undercover operative posed as a weapons supplier.
Normal Appearance Hid Extremist Commitment
- Waleed Zadawi presented as friendly, westernised and hardworking while hiding extremist beliefs.
- His outward normality masked deep online immersion in ISIS propaganda and a commitment to jihad.
Undercover 'Farouk' Infiltrates Online Cells
- An undercover operative using the name Farouk infiltrated jihadi Facebook groups and befriended Waleed.
- Farouk persuaded Waleed he could procure weapons from Morocco and became his confidant.