Türkiye Arrests Alleged Mossad Financial Operative

Ferries sail on the Bosphorus backdropped by the Blue Mosque during the sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye, 01 September 2024.  EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
Ferries sail on the Bosphorus backdropped by the Blue Mosque during the sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye, 01 September 2024. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
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Türkiye Arrests Alleged Mossad Financial Operative

Ferries sail on the Bosphorus backdropped by the Blue Mosque during the sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye, 01 September 2024.  EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
Ferries sail on the Bosphorus backdropped by the Blue Mosque during the sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye, 01 September 2024. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN

Türkiye arrested a Kosovan national accused of managing the financial network of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency in the country, the Turkish intelligence organization said on Tuesday.

Liridon Rexhepi was detained in Istanbul on Aug. 30, suspected of transferring funds to Mossad personnel operating in Türkiye, Reuters quoted the Turkish intelligence agency MIT as saying.

Türkiye, which has denounced Israel for its war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, has this year detained more than 20 people suspected of having ties to Mossad.

Rexhepi had been under surveillance since his entry into Türkiye on Aug. 25, the MIT statement said. He is alleged to have facilitated financial transfers from eastern European countries, primarily Kosovo, to Mossad agents in Türkiye.

The statement said the funds transferred by Rexhepi were reportedly used for intelligence gathering in Syria, conducting psychological operations against Palestinians, and coordinating drone-related operations.

Rexhepi used money transfer services to move funds into Türkiye. Once in the country, the funds were distributed to field operatives who, in turn, channeled some of the money to assets in Syria, often utilizing cryptocurrency for these transactions, the sources said.



Netanyahu Says 'Shameful' of UK to Halt Some Arms Export Licences to Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on January 7, 2024. (Photo by RONEN ZVULUN / POOL / AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on January 7, 2024. (Photo by RONEN ZVULUN / POOL / AFP)
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Netanyahu Says 'Shameful' of UK to Halt Some Arms Export Licences to Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on January 7, 2024. (Photo by RONEN ZVULUN / POOL / AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on January 7, 2024. (Photo by RONEN ZVULUN / POOL / AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that the British government made a "shameful decision" when it suspended some arms export licences to Israel.

Britain's foreign minister David Lammy said on Monday that the government had suspended 30 of 350 arms export licences with Israel due to a risk the equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The decision, which came a day after Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza, was quickly denounced by a number of Israeli ministers, Reuters reported.

"This shameful decision will not change Israel's determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that savagely murdered 1,200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens," Netanyahu said in a social media post.

"Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages, including 5 British citizens. Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas," Netanyahu said.

"With or without British arms, Israel will win this war and secure our common future."

Soon after Britain's Labor Party won an election in July, Lammy said he would update a review on arms sales to ally Israel to ensure these complied with international law.

British exports amount to less than 1% of the total arms Israel receives, and the minister said the suspension would not have a material impact on Israel's security and Britain continued to support its right to self-defense.

Both Israeli and Palestinian leaders are being investigated for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the wake of the Oct. 7 by Hamas.

The Israeli response in Gaza has killed more than 40,700 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Lammy said Monday's decision was not a judgment on whether Israel had breached international law or not. Israel and Palestinian leaders have dismissed allegations of war crimes.