Israel Asks Turkey for Assistance

Israel's external intelligence agency, Mossad, has requested assistance from Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in efforts to rescue Israeli citizens held hostage by the Palestinian Hamas movement. This information was reported by a Turkish newspaper citing its sources. The report has been shared by RIA Novosti.

According to the article, on October 7, Mossad lacked the opportunity to obtain intelligence regarding Hamas's actions and therefore turned to MIT for help in rescuing the hostages. MIT, which was engaged in intense negotiations with Qatar, Egypt, and the United States for the release of hostages, managed to secure the release of some hostages during a temporary ceasefire. Mossad expressed its gratitude to MIT for this effort.

The publication also recalled that in 2022, MIT and Istanbul police executed a joint operation to thwart an assassination attempt against an Israeli tourist group organized by Iranian intelligence. Earlier, the American Wall Street Journal, citing Israeli officials, reported that Israeli special services plan to eliminate the leaders of the Palestinian Hamas movement worldwide after the end of the war in Gaza. Specifically, plans are allegedly being developed to track Hamas leaders residing in Lebanon, Turkey, and Qatar.

At the same time, a Turkish television channel, referencing sources from the country’s intelligence agencies, reported that Turkish intelligence has warned Israel of “serious consequences” in pursuit of Hamas members living in Turkey.