JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel has arrested two suspects accused of working undercover with the Hamas terror organization to spy on the country’s Iron Dome missile defense system, the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) said on Thursday in a press release.
Authorities say Hamas recruited Hasin Biari, 30, an Israeli citizen with family in the Gaza Strip, and Gaza resident Mahmoud Ahmed, 33, to conduct the espionage mission. Israeli police arrested the pair on Nov. 29.
Hasin Biari. Photo Credit: Israeli Security Agency
“The investigation of Mahmoud Ahmed showed that he was recruited to the espionage infrastructure in 2019 and that under its aegis he collected information on Iron Dome systems throughout the country and secretly photographed IDF soldiers at the Central Bus Station in Ashkelon,” the ISA statement said.
Muhammad Halawa. Biari and Ahmed’s alleged Hamas handler. Photo Credit: Israeli Security Agency
Biari was allegedly recruited by Hamas this past year “and managed to carry out collection missions regarding military bases, IDF soldiers and Iron Dome systems throughout the country. He was also requested by Hamas to incite the Arab population in Israel against the state, acquire weaponry and carry out a terrorist attack on Israeli territory.”
Although Ahmed lives in Gaza, he held a commercial permit to work in Israel.
The ISA says the allegations against Ahmed prove that Hamas is exploiting permits for terrorist activity.
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Both men were indicted on Thursday for “severe security offenses.”
“The ISA views with utmost gravity the direction of terrorist activity and espionage from the Gaza Strip and will continue to take action together with the Israel Police and the IDF to locate and thwart hostile activity by these organizations in a timely manner,” the ISA said.
In October, Israel expanded its work permit program to allow up to 10,000 workers from Gaza into Israel. The decision was part of ongoing efforts to secure a cease-fire agreement after an 11-day war in May with Hamas.
Israel’s military has historically supported granting permits to Gaza workers, hoping that job opportunities will help boost Gaza’s economy and provide some security in the Hamas-ruled territory. Israel’s Security Agency has long expressed concerns about the permits being exploited by Hamas to carry out terror attacks in Israel.
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