Turkish authorities have apprehended seven individuals under suspicion of providing information to Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency regarding tracking and monitoring local targets. The arrests were made in a collaborative operation involving the police and Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation (MIT). The suspects allegedly engaged in activities such as monitoring, photographing targets, placing tracking devices, and gathering information for Mossad. Turkey had previously warned Israel of “serious consequences” if it attempted to pursue members of the Palestinian group Hamas residing outside Palestinian territories, including in Turkey.
The Turkish National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) reportedly determined that Mossad was employing private detectives to surveil its targets. Mossad is accused of recruiting Palestinian and Syrian nationals in Turkey as part of an operation against foreigners residing in the country. Notably, Turkey does not classify Hamas as a “terrorist” organization, unlike its Western allies.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has criticized Israel for its actions in Gaza and has consistently condemned Western countries for supporting Tel Aviv’s campaigns. In a related incident last month, 34 people were detained in Turkey on suspicion of spying for Israel. The detainees were accused of planning various activities, including surveillance and actions against foreign nationals residing in Turkey. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc stated that most suspects faced charges of “political or military espionage” on behalf of Israeli intelligence. The operation was reported to target “Palestinian nationals and their families” within the context of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Quest: Emmanuel kelvin