A Turkish security official announced today, Friday, that "authorities have arrested seven individuals suspected of selling information to the Israeli intelligence agency (Mossad) regarding tracking and monitoring local targets." Turkey had previously warned Israel of "severe consequences" if it attempted to target members of Hamas who live outside Palestinian territories, including in Turkey. Turkish and Israeli leaders have exchanged public criticisms since the war between Israel and Hamas began last October.
The security official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters that Turkish police and the National Intelligence Organization conducted joint operations in Istanbul and Izmir as part of an investigation by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office. The recent operations come a month after a series of arrests of individuals suspected of having ties to the Mossad in Turkey.
Today, the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) reported that "the intelligence has determined that the Mossad uses private investigators to follow its targets." TRT, citing unnamed security sources, stated that "the suspects are believed to have sought to monitor the targets, photograph them, attach tracking devices to them, and obtain other information for the Mossad."
