Photo Credit: Abed Rahim Khatib/ Flash90
(L-R) Yahya Sinwar, Khalil al-Haya, and Ismail Haniyeh

A 24-hour standoff between Italian diplomats visiting Gaza and the Hamas terror group ended Tuesday evening with the Italians’ release.

The incident began Monday when a group of Italians who were part of a diplomatic team which arrived in Gaza for advance security preparations ahead of a visit by the Italian ambassador to Israel was suspected by Hamas of being undercover Israeli agents.

Advertisement




Four diplomats who were armed were asked to turn over their weapons by Hamas operatives at a checkpoint in Gaza. They refused and fled the checkpoint, seeking refuge in a UNRWA building. They were released only after the Italian ambassador intervened.

Some reports say they were questioned by Hamas before their release.

Hamas has been on high alert and on edge since IDF Special Forces operating inside the Strip in November were exposed. An IDF officer was killed and another moderately injured in the gunfight that ensued, while some 15 Hamas terrorists were killed during the IDF’s rescue operation.

Hamas has been working feverishly since to expose Israel’s intelligence gathering activities inside Gaza.


Share this article on WhatsApp:
Advertisement

SHARE
Previous articleIs the IDF Ready for All-Out War?
Next articlePros from Around the World Gather in Israel to Compete in World Surf League Contest
Aryeh Savir is director of the International division of Tazpit News Agency.