Jerusalem, 27 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Shin Bet, Israel’s Security Agency announced today that it has dismantled a ring which operated through the Arab Israeli cities of Kafr Qasim and Rahat and transported weapons and money to the Judea and Samaria to be used by Hamas. The headquarters of the ring was located in Turkey and its leader was an Arab Israeli.
In a joint operation by the Shin Bet and the Israel Police, several Israeli citizens, residents of the two cities, were arrested for questioning on suspicion of involvement in the clandestine transfer of weapons and money on behalf of Ahmed Tsarsour, an Israeli national who worked for the terrorist organization from his base in Turkey.
Investigations uncovered a ring that transferred arms and funds to Judea and Samaria. The money was transferred from Turkey to Israel using cryptocurrencies, which were converted into cash by Israeli currency exchangers. The individuals involved in the case used this cash to purchase weapons from arms dealers in the Negev, which were then transferred to the Judea and Samaria region. Charges will be brought against those involved.
This is a serious case, according to the Israeli authorities, which reveals how elements in Turkey, including Israeli Arabs, are taking advantage of their connections to Israel and their access to Judea and Samaria to transfer money and weapons, which end up in the hands of terrorists.