Turkey arrests two more people suspected of spying for Israel

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish authorities have arrested two individuals suspected of offering info to the Israeli spy company, a high official mentioned Friday, within the newest in a sequence of such arrests in Turkey.

Inside Minister Ali Yerlikaya mentioned the suspects allegedly gathered details about individuals and firms of curiosity to Israel and handed on the information and paperwork to Israeli intelligence officers.

Six different individuals who had been additionally detained within the operation, codenamed “Mole-3,” had been launched following questioning, Yerlikaya mentioned in a press release posted on X, previously referred to as Twitter.

“We’ll by no means enable espionage actions that focus on our nationwide unity and solidarity to happen throughout the borders of our nation,” Yerlikaya mentioned.

The minister didn’t present additional info on the suspects. Dozens of individuals, together with non-public detectives, have been detained in Turkey since January on suspicion of spying for Israel, totally on Palestinians residing in Turkey.

Turkey and Israel had normalized ties in 2022 by reappointing ambassadors following years of tensions. However these hyperlinks shortly deteriorated after the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with Ankara changing into one of many strongest critics of Israel’s navy actions in Gaza.

In December, the pinnacle of Israel’s Shin Wager safety company mentioned that his group was ready to focus on the militant Hamas group wherever, together with in Lebanon, Turkey and Qatar.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Israel of “severe penalties” if Israel pressed forward with its risk to assault Hamas officers on Turkish soil.