Posted on 12/16/21
The following has been cleared for publication:
In the framework of ongoing Israeli Security Agency (ISA) and Israel Police operations, Hasin Biari, 30, an Israeli citizen with family in the Gaza Strip, and Mahmoud Ahmed, 33, a resident of the Gaza Strip who holds a commercial permit to enter Israel, were detained for questioning on 29 November 2021.
The investigations that were carried out have indicated the two were recruited by a Hamas espionage and terrorism infrastructure in the Gaza Strip that operates agents inside Israel under the direction of Gaza-based terrorists, including Muhammad Halawa.
According to the findings if the investigations, the two met with their Hamas handlers while they were in the Gaza Strip in order to receive their missions. Later, they were in continuous covert-operational contact with their handlers.
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 information gathered during the investigation of Hasin Biari showed that he was recruited to the espionage infrastructure in the 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.
The above investigations, which join previous investigations that have been carried out vis-à-vis agents of the espionage infrastructure, have again uncovered the fact that Hamas is exploiting the border crossings in order to advance terrorist activity in Israel and is causing people to put their families – in Israel and in the Gaza Strip – at risk. This underscores how Hamas exploits commercial permits for terrorist activity.
The State Attorney (Central District) indicted Hasin Biari in Lod District Court today (Thursday, 16 December 2021), The State Attorney (Southern District) indicted Mahmoud Ahmed in the Be'er Sheva District Court, also today. Both defendants are charged with 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.