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JERUSALEM, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli security forces said on Tuesday that they have uncovered an Iran-backed terror cell that operated under the guise of a Palestinian aid group.

The Shin Bet security agency said in a statement that the cell planned to carry out attacks against Israelis in the West Bank under the guise of a non-governmental organization called Al-Shabab al-Alumi al-Arabi.

The investigation started in April after the Israeli military arrested Yazan Abu Salah, a 23-year-old member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine which is part of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

Abu Salah told his interrogators that he and others planned to kidnap an Israeli soldier in order to negotiate the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Eight other Palestinian suspects were arrested.

The Israeli investigation revealed that Iran and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese group, funded the cell and planned to provide the members with weapons training in Lebanon.

"The investigation once again emphasized the close ties that exist between Iran, Hezbollah and the Popular Front," the Shin Bet said in the statement.