Israel’s Shin Bet and the IDF said Sunday morning that they have thwarted dozens of attacks over the past year that were directed by Hamas operatives based in Turkey. According to the statement, Hamas’ West Bank branch has long been responsible for advancing and directing attacks against civilians and security forces across the West Bank, and in the past year it has intensified efforts from Turkish soil to recruit operatives, move weapons and transfer money into the territory and into Israel.
The agencies said the branch is currently headed by Zaher Jabarin, with Aiman Abu Khalil serving as its military wing chief. They also said several investigations over the past year exposed Hamas members in Turkey who were operating under the West Bank branch to expand militant activity. Among those named were Aiman Sharouna, who allegedly recruited operatives and advanced terror activity from Turkey, and Mohammad Malah, originally from the Tulkarem area and splitting his time between Turkey and Qatar, who allegedly helped transfer funds for terrorism.
Other suspects named in the disclosure were Majed Jaaba, who allegedly helped smuggle the weapon used in the November 2023 attack at the Tunnels checkpoint, Walid Abu Nassar, who allegedly financed a terror infrastructure in Bethlehem, and Salam Yaeish, who allegedly recruited terrorists to carry out attacks, all while operating from Turkey.
Shin Bet and the IDF said Hamas operatives are carrying out their work from Turkey without interference, meeting with activists from the West Bank and using local infrastructure to pass instructions and money. They said those funds and orders are then used on the ground to advance military activity and carry out attacks. Both agencies said they view any contact with terror elements and any involvement in transferring money or weapons for terror networks in the West Bank as serious, and that they will continue acting to foil threats and protect Israel’s residents and state.
