Israeli security forces apprehended two men suspected of spying for Hamas, the Israel Security Agency revealed on Thursday, saying the two were arrested on Nov. 29 following a joint operation with the police.
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The suspects were identified as Hassin Biari, 30, an Arab Israeli resident of Jaffa, and Mahmoud Ahmad, 33, from the Gaza Strip.
According to available details, the investigations has uncovered evidence that the two were enlisted as agents by the terrorist group controlling Gaza over the fact that both could move freely across the country – Biari as a citizen and Ahmad using his work permit.
The Shin Bet named their handler as Mahmad Halawa – a known Hamas operative based in Gaza.
The investigation so far has revealed that the two met with Halawa in Gaza where he gave them their missions. They later maintained "ongoing secret and operational contact with their operators," the security agency said.
Information available on the investigation said that Ahmad's revealed that he had been enlisted by Hamas in 2019 and was tasked, among other things, with gathering information on the location of Iron Dome batteries across Israel.
He also admitted that, on orders from his handler, he secretly photograph IDF soldiers at the Central Bus Station in Ashkelon.
Biari reportedly told investigators that he was recruited by Hamas earlier this year and was tasked with gathering intelligence on IDF bases, Iron Dome batteries and locations where soldiers gather, such as bus stops.
He further told reporters that he was tasked with instigating unrest among Arab Israelis, obtaining weapons, and carrying out a terrorist attack in Israel.
The indictments against Biari and Ahmad, filed on Thursday, list a host of severe security offenses.
"Investigations carried out over the past two years into Hamas espionage infrastructure again reveal the fact that Hamas is using the border crossings to promote terrorist activity in Israel and causes civilians to endanger their families in Israel and the Gaza Strip," a source familiar with the investigation said.
This case illustrates how Hamas exploits work permits for terrorist activities, he added.
"The Shin Bet security service treats any direction of terrorist and espionage activity from the Gaza Strip with the utmost severity. We will continue to work together with the Israel Police and the IDF to detect and thwart any hostile activity by these organizations in advance," an ISA statement said.
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