A Palestinian working in a Gaza tunnel (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)
Israeli security forces arrested a terror operative involved in Hamas’ tunnel building efforts as he attempted to cross into Israel illegally from the Gaza Strip.
By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News
A Hamas terrorist defected to Israel in September and provided vital intelligence on Hamas’ vast military apparatus and its terror tunnel network, the Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) revealed on Thursday.
The terrorist, Ahmed Majdi Muhammad Abid, 23 of Shajaiya, crossed the border fence into Israel and was immediately arrested.
During his questioning by the Shin Bet, he admitted to having joined Hamas’ ranks in 2013.
He underwent sniping, anti-tank and military engineering training, participated in terror-tunnel digging and worked for Hamas’ border security body.
Abid provided a large amount of intelligence on the terror tunnels built in his neighborhood for attacks in Israel and those meant to fight the IDF inside Gaza, the Shin Bet said.
Abid was indicted in late October at a Beer Sheva court and charged with severe security offenses.
This is not the first time Hamas operatives have revealed a treasure trove of information after defecting to Israel.
In June 2016, Israeli security forces arrested a terror operative involved in Hamas’ tunnel building efforts as he attempted to cross into Israel illegally from the Gaza Strip.
He revealed during the investigation important details regarding Hamas’ terror activities, including information about the recruitment process, training and details regarding other terror operatives from Hamas’ military wing.
Earlier that month, the Shin Bet announced Israeli security forces had captured a veteran Hamas terrorist who provided valuable information on Hamas’ terror tunnel network.
In May of that year, the Shin Bet announced a Palestinian minor active in Hamas’ military wing, who crossed illegally into Israel at the beginning of April and was caught, had provided Israel with a wealth of information on Hamas’ terror-tunnel network.
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Territorial losses would impose a lasting price for aggression and deter future wars, Smotrich said.