Israel says Hamas operatives in Turkey helped thwart dozens of attacks

The Shin Bet and the IDF said they have disrupted dozens of planned attacks over the past year that were directed by Hamas operatives working from Turkey. According to the agencies, the network used meetings, instructions and money transfers to push militant activity in the West Bank and elsewhere.

The report identified Zahar Jabarin as the head of Hamas’s West Bank branch, and Ayman Abu Khalil as the commander of the movement’s military wing. Officials said the operatives maintain contact with people in Judea and Samaria, pass on guidance and funding, and exploit infrastructure inside Turkey to advance military activity.

Several names were cited as part of the effort. Ayman Shrauna was said to recruit operatives, Muhammad Malah to transfer funds, Majd Jaaba to help smuggle weapons for the November 2023 attack at the Tunnel checkpoint, Walid Abu Nassar to finance a terror network in Bethlehem, and Salam Yaish to recruit attackers.

The agencies did not give exact figures for each foiled plot, but said the activity they uncovered prevented dozens of attacks in total during the last year.