On Thursday, Israeli security forces released information of a joint investigation of the Shin Bet in cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Police which recently exposed a mechanism for the transfer of money by means of couriers between the Hamas headquarters in Turkey and Gaza and the Hamas headquarters in Hebron.

Involved in the activity

At the initiative of Muhammad Maher Bader, a senior Hamas activist from Hebron and a member of the Legislative Council, who recruited two emissaries – Mus’ab al-Hasalmon, a Hamas activist from Hebron who was sent to Turkey under the guise of business trips, to which another conscript joined In the name of Taha ‘Othman, also a resident of Hebron.

He was asked to transfer terrorist funds from Turkey to Hebron, which were meant to finance the activities of members of the Hamas headquarters in Hebron – and in particular members of the Hamas Legislative Council. In addition, Mus’ab was asked to transfer funds for Hamas activists who were released from prison.

Two of Musab’s partners – Yusri Hashlamon (his brother) and Omer Kimari – were in contact with Majed Jaba, a Hamas activist from Gaza who was released from Gaza.

Musab was asked to transfer terrorist funds from Turkey to Hebron, which were meant to finance the activities of members of the Hamas headquarters in Hebron – and in particular members of the Hamas Legislative Council. In addition, Mus’ab was asked to transfer funds for Hamas activists who were released from prison.

Two of Musab’s partners – Yusri Hashlamon (his brother) and Omer Kimari – were in contact with Majed Jaba, a Hamas activist from Gaza who was released from Gaza.

Musab and Taha met several times in Turkey with Hamas activist Haroun Nasser al-Din, a Hamas activist who is also released inthe Shalit deal and from Hebron.

The method

Haroun gave the messengers tens of thousands of dollars. The messengers purchased merchandise in Turkey, imported goods via international shipping companies to Hebron, and after the sale sold the money to Hamas operatives in Hebron, less a commission. As part of his activity, Haroun instructed the emissaries to appeal to Hamas activists in Hebron and offer them money from headquarters.

The investigation revealed that up to 200,000 dollars had been transferred to the money route. In addition, the construction of a multi-million-dollar concrete plant financed by Hamas was planned, with the aim of laundering money.

The interrogation of all the interrogees has recently been completed, and in the coming days the military prosecution is expected to file indictments against those involved.

The exposure of the infrastructure indicates the constant motivation of Hamas activists in Turkey and Gaza to increase terror from Hamas in the West Bank. Hamas officials in Gaza and abroad recruit emissaries from Yehuda and Shomron who travel abroad to transfer terrorist funds and messages to operatives in the field. Hamas frequently mobilizes relatives of the organization’s operatives in the field, or is assisted by merchants and businessmen who pay a significant personal and business price for this activity.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)