Israeli Media: Israeli FM Asks Turkey to Close Hamas Istanbul Office
Israeli media report that occupation Foreign Minister Yair Lapid asked Turkey to shut down Hamas' offices in Istanbul
The Times of Israel reported that Yair Lapid, the occupation's Foreign Minister, has asked Turkish authorities to shut down Hamas offices in Turkey following the discovery of a 50-member Hamas cell in the West Bank, which was being directed from Istanbul.
Lapid further stated that all countries of the world "must act like Britain and outlaw Hamas."
Israeli media revealed that "Israel's" Shabak arrested 50 members of this Hamas cell, which was allegedly being remotely led by Saleh al-Arouri, deputy head of Hamas' political bureau, and Zacharia Najib, a member of the organization who was released from Israeli prisons in the 2011 Gilad Shalit exchange.
British Home Secretary Priti Patel announced last Friday her decision to "outlaw" the Hamas Movement, claiming that this step would "help to combat antisemitism" according to her statement, and added that anyone who expresses support for Hamas, arranges meetings for the resistance group, or even flies their flags will be in breach of law and could face up to 14 years in jail.
The move was widely condemned by Lebanese, Palestinian, and Yemeni factions.