HAMAS SAYS ALLEGED SPY ACTIVE FOR 15 YEARS DETAINED IN GAZA

Gaza, 14 Rabi’ul Akhir 1436/4 February 2015 (MINA) – Security forces in Gaza said Tuesday that they had arrested a man who allegedly was collaborating with Israel for the past 15 years.

Security officials told the Hamas-affiliated al-Majd website that the man was “one of the most dangerous collaborators with Israel” and had working with the Israeli Shin Bet for nearly 15 years.

The unidentified man was one of the most “active” members of providing intelligence to Israeli forces, and allegedly confessed to a number of incidents, Ma’an News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The officials said that the man had been distributing money via Israel’s security services to other collaborators in the Gaza Strip.

He also took part in several operations to kill high-ranking Hamas officials during Israeli military attacks on the coastal enclave in 2012 and 2014, and aided Israel in locating Hamas’ arms caches.

The man is also accused of locating dozens of homes targeted during Israel’s devastating military offensive last summer, and gave names to Israel of people who could be blackmailed in return for working with the Shin Bet.

In August, 18 suspected collaborators were killed by Hamas as the group announced a crackdown on Palestinians alleged to be working with Israel.

Information passed to Israel’s security services by Palestinian collaborators is often used to make arrests and assassinate high-profile political and militant figures.

Under Palestinian law, collaboration with Israel is punishable by death.

However all execution orders must be approved by the president before they can be carried out. Hamas no longer recognizes the legitimacy of incumbent Mahmoud Abbas, whose four-year term ended in 2009.

UN rights chief Navi Pillay last year described the judicial process for death sentences in Gaza as “deeply flawed.” (T/P010/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)