Israeli Intelligence Passes Information to Denmark, Germany on Alleged Terrorist Operations

Netanyahu on a field visit to a military base near Jenin, and to his right are the head of intelligence, the minister of defense, and the chief of staff. (Government Press Office)
Netanyahu on a field visit to a military base near Jenin, and to his right are the head of intelligence, the minister of defense, and the chief of staff. (Government Press Office)
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Israeli Intelligence Passes Information to Denmark, Germany on Alleged Terrorist Operations

Netanyahu on a field visit to a military base near Jenin, and to his right are the head of intelligence, the minister of defense, and the chief of staff. (Government Press Office)
Netanyahu on a field visit to a military base near Jenin, and to his right are the head of intelligence, the minister of defense, and the chief of staff. (Government Press Office)

Israeli intelligence has supplied Germany and Denmark with crucial information indicating that several criminal organizations within their borders are allegedly operating according to an Iranian agenda, said security sources in Tel Aviv.
Sources revealed on Sunday that these organizations are purportedly utilizing members affiliated with Hamas to execute terrorist operations targeting Israeli embassies, mission headquarters, institutions, and synagogues in both countries and across Europe.
European authorities independently uncovered evidence suggesting that these criminal groups have significantly progressed in advancing Iranian plans. The alleged mastermind behind these activities, Hamas official Khalil Kharaz, reportedly made visits and sent correspondences that unveiled a broad spectrum of the alleged plans.
On Saturday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, released a statement on behalf of the Mossad and Shin Bet agencies stating that European countries arrested suspects allegedly involved in plans by Hamas to attack Israeli and Jewish targets abroad in December.
"On December 14, 2023, the security and enforcement authorities in Denmark and Germany announced the extensive arrest of suspects in Europe who have since been subject to legal proceedings."
Gathered intelligence includes "information on the intention to attack the Israeli Embassy in Sweden, the acquisition of UAVs, and the use of elements from criminal organizations in Europe."
The report added that “Hamas works to promote attacks against targets in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe under the command of the organization's senior leadership." Among them, Saleh al-Arouri, Azzam Akre, Khalil Haraz, and Samir Pandi, who were killed last week in the southern suburb of Beirut.
Until their elimination, they were key factors in Hamas' activities worldwide.
Hamas' activity in Europe was led by Khalil Haraz, until his death in Lebanon in November. Kharaz was under the command of Azzam Akre. He was in charge of some of the infrastructure discovered in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany last December.



UN Rights Chief Seeks $500 Million in 2025

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk talks to the press in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday Jan. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk talks to the press in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday Jan. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
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UN Rights Chief Seeks $500 Million in 2025

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk talks to the press in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday Jan. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk talks to the press in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday Jan. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

The UN human rights chief appealed on Thursday for $500 million in funding for 2025 to support its work such as investigating human rights abuses around the world from Syria to Sudan, warning that lives hang in the balance.

The UN human rights office has been grappling with chronic funding shortages that some worry could be exacerbated by cuts to US foreign aid by President Donald Trump. The annual appeal is for funds beyond the allocated UN funds from member states' fees, which make up just a fraction of the office's needs.

"In 2025, we expect no let-up in major challenges to human rights," High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told member states in a speech at the UN in Geneva.

"I am very concerned that if we do not reach our funding targets in 2025, we will leave people ... to struggle and possibly fail, without adequate support," Reuters quoted him as saying.

He said any shortfall would mean more people remain in illegal detention; that governments are allowed to continue with discriminatory policies; violations may go undocumented; and human rights defenders could lose protection.

"In short, lives are at stake," he said.

The human rights office gets about 5% of the regular UN budget, but the majority of its funding comes voluntarily in response to its annual appeal announced on Thursday.

Western states give the most, with the United States donating $35 million last year or about 15% of the total received in 2024, followed by the European Commission, UN data showed. Still, the office received only about half of the $500 million it sought last year.