Israeli Police Arrest Two Emirati Tourists by Mistake

Israeli security force members walk past a house during clashes with Palestinians which erupted over Israel's demolition of a shop in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem June 29, 2021. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Israeli security force members walk past a house during clashes with Palestinians which erupted over Israel's demolition of a shop in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem June 29, 2021. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
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Israeli Police Arrest Two Emirati Tourists by Mistake

Israeli security force members walk past a house during clashes with Palestinians which erupted over Israel's demolition of a shop in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem June 29, 2021. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Israeli security force members walk past a house during clashes with Palestinians which erupted over Israel's demolition of a shop in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem June 29, 2021. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

The Israeli police said two Emirati tourists were arrested and then released after shots were fired on central Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff Street.

The police wrongfully thought the two men were involved in the incident, however, it quickly released them after their identity became clear.

Tel Aviv witnessed a wave of panic after two anonymous individuals opened fire at an unknown target on Wednesday. People at the scene assumed it was another Palestinian operation and started running in panic.

The two tourists were held by Israelis because of their Arab looks, and were handed to the police for investigation. An hour later, the Police apologized to them and released them.

The police said the incident was crime-related and that it left no casualties.

An initial investigation found that two suspects who were riding a motorcycle fired shots at a third persona, who was standing next to his Mercedes on the street.

The apparent target of the shooting is a known criminal, who has a history of serious violent crimes, and served a 22-month prison term.



Qatar Foreign Ministry: Hamas Political Office in Doha Has Not Been Permanently Closed

A file photo of two Palestinian fighters from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, participating in a military parade near the border with Israel in central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023 (Reuters).
A file photo of two Palestinian fighters from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, participating in a military parade near the border with Israel in central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023 (Reuters).
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Qatar Foreign Ministry: Hamas Political Office in Doha Has Not Been Permanently Closed

A file photo of two Palestinian fighters from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, participating in a military parade near the border with Israel in central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023 (Reuters).
A file photo of two Palestinian fighters from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, participating in a military parade near the border with Israel in central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023 (Reuters).

The political office of the Palestinian Hamas group in Doha has not been permanently closed, Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said on Tuesday.
Al-Ansari said leaders of the Hamas negotiating team were not in Doha, reported Reuters.
Qatar said last week it had told Hamas and Israel that it will suspend efforts to mediate a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal until both show seriousness about resuming talks. Doha also said media reports that it had told Hamas to leave the Gulf Arab country were not accurate.

Qatar, which is home to a major US military base, has hosted Hamas's political leadership since 2012 with Washington's blessing.

During the talks after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel last year, both Qatari and US officials indicated that the militant group would remain in Doha as long as its presence offered a viable channel of communication.