- By Abhishek Sheoran
- Thu, 19 Sep 2024 01:52 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Israel security services on Thursday announced they had arrested an Israeli citizen suspected of involvement in an Iran-backed assassination plot, which targeted high-profile figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The suspect, described as a businessman with links to Turkey, reportedly attended at least two meetings in Iran to discuss the possibility of killing PM Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as per Reuters.
The arrest occurred last month, according to a joint statement issued by Shin Bet and Israeli police. The statement underscored the ongoing intelligence war amid escalating tensions on Israel's border with southern Lebanon.
Last week, Shin Bet uncovered what it claimed was a Hezbollah plot to assassinate a former senior defense official, later revealed to be Moshe Ya'alon, the former Chief of Staff of the Israeli army and Defense Minister.
The announcements came a day after Lebanon was jolted with two perpetual attacks, one using a pager while the other through a walkie-talkie. Both the incidents have claimed 32 lives and over 3,200 people are reported to be injured. The attacks have raised concerns of a wider conflict in the Middle East, with Iran and Hezbollah alleging the blasts were orchestrated by Israel.
Israel has not commented directly on the attack but multiple security sources have said it was undertaken by Israel's spy agency Mossad. A few days ago, Hezbollah launched a missile attack on Israel, after which Israel openly threatened that Hezbollah would pay a heavy price for it.
ALSO READ: North Korea Executes Two Women Accused Of Helping People To Escape To South Korea
Israel-Hamas War
Israel has been at loggerheads with the militant movement Hamas after the latter, in a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, showered over 5,000 missiles in Israeli territory. Besides, Tel Aviv claimed Hamas militants rampaged across cities in Israel and abducted many civilians. With several Middle East nations backing Palestine, the war soon spread over the entire region. It had now become a global issue and concern for the entire world.