A Hamas operative who received medical treatment in Israel has been detained for questioning on suspicion of transferring intelligence to his commanders in the terrorist group. The State Attorney's Office is set to file an indictment with the Beersheba District Court in the coming days.
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Gaza Strip resident Ahmad Abu al-Nour, 27, entered Israel with a permit for medical treatment, which he then used to remain in the country illegally. He was arrested on Jan. 27 as part of the Shin Bet Security Agency's joint operations with the Negev police.
While under questioning, al-Anour revealed he had joined Hamas' military wing in 2009. As a member of the terrorist group, he was involved in military training and anti-Israel operations, even working for the Hamas intelligence organization.
Israeli officials obtained significant information about Hamas' activities thanks to Al-Nour's knowledge of Hamas activities, including the location of underground tunnels, weapons stockpiles, and Hamas military sites.
The Shin Bet investigation further revealed that al-Nour had taken advantage of his time in Israel to pass intelligence to his commanders in Hamas' intelligence organization while unsuccessfully attempting to recruit for the terrorist group.
The investigation is just the latest to reveal Hamas' cynical use of humanitarian permits issued to Gazans to promote terrorist activity inside Israel.
Matan Peleg, the chairman of right-wing organization Im Tirzu, said: "The security system's reckless entry permit policy will only result in many more cases such as these.
He said, "There is no justification for increasing permits that are abused for terrorism and violence. In the meantime, there are over 3,000 Arabs from Gaza in Israeli territory, the whereabouts of whom the military can't even pinpoint. This is a serious and immediate threat, and as such, they should all be apprehended and a policy should be instilled that is aimed at first and foremost protecting residents of Israel's security and only then all kinds of 'gestures.'"
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