Turkey on Tuesday claimed to have arrested dozens of people suspected of spying for the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, with officials claiming they were planning the “assault and kidnapping” of foreigners living in Turkish territory, according to reports. are doing.
The development is the latest escalation in tensions between the two countries during the Israel-Hamas war and comes about a week after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler. .
“We will never tolerate espionage activities that violate the unity and unity of our people,” Turkish Interior Minister Ali Erikaya wrote about “I judged that the purpose was to do so,” he added. Pursuing, assaulting, and kidnapping foreign nationals residing in our country. ”
“During searches conducted during the operation, 143,830 euros, $23,680, various amounts of cash from various countries, one unlicensed firearm, and numerous cartridges and digital materials were seized,” Erikaya said. said.
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The video, released by the Turkish Interior Ministry, shows police carrying out an operation to arrest a suspect suspected of working for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. (Turkish Ministry of Interior/Reuters)
A total of 33 people were detained during “Operation Mole” after police searched 57 locations in eight provinces, Reuters reported, citing the Yelikaya news agency.
The news agency added that Israel's Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reported arrests.
Turkish state media also reported that authorities were trying to track down 13 other people as part of the investigation, according to Reuters.
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Suspect arrested by Turkish police during 'Operation Mole'. (Turkish Ministry of Interior/Reuters)
Ronen Barr, head of Israel's domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet, reportedly said in a recording aired by Israeli public broadcaster Kan in early December that Israel would hunt down Hamas terrorists in countries such as Turkey. .
“We're going to do this everywhere: in Gaza, in the West Bank, in Lebanon, in Turkey, in Qatar. It's going to take several years, but we will definitely do it on the ground,” he said, according to Reuters. ” he said.
According to Reuters, the attacks took place in eight Turkish provinces. (Turkish Ministry of Interior/Reuters)
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But the following day, after Bar's remarks were aired, the Jerusalem Post reported that “the necessary warnings have been given to the interlocutors on the basis of the news of the statements made by Israeli officials, and the following has been expressed to the Israeli side.” Quoted by a Turkish intelligence official. [such an act] There will be serious consequences. ”
