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thisCrowd - Audio Read
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In recent events, Turkish authorities have leveled accusations against Mossad, Israel’s intelligence service, alleging the use of cryptocurrency in recruiting spies within Turkey. The claims involve Mossad’s purported involvement in operations such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and kidnapping targeting Palestinians residing in Turkey. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikay announced the detention of 34 individuals with alleged links to Mossad following nationwide raids.
A senior Turkish official asserts that recruits were paid through intermediaries, live couriers, and cryptocurrencies, ensuring the funds could not be traced back to the Israeli intelligence agency. The suspects, reportedly trained abroad by Mossad, maintained regular contact through encrypted messaging platforms.
The raids, conducted by Turkish government counter-terrorism and intelligence agencies, resulted in the confiscation of €150,000 ($165,100), an unlicensed firearm, and ‘digital materials.’ This development has intensified already heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel, particularly in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict.
The strained relationship between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has further soured, with Erdoğan issuing warnings and comparisons, while Netanyahu defends Israel’s actions.
Simultaneously, Israeli law enforcement authorities have taken action, ordering the closure of dozens of cryptocurrency accounts and seizing millions of dollars’ worth of crypto coins. The objective is to sever financial links between crypto markets and Hamas following the organization’s recent attack on Israel.
More than 100 accounts on Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, have reportedly been closed since the onset of Hamas’s assault on October 7. Binance confirmed blocking a ‘small number’ of accounts since the summer, citing adherence to internationally recognized sanctions rules.
The global concern over the use of cryptocurrencies by Hamas for fundraising is evident. Tether, a widely-used digital token for crypto trading, recently froze 32 addresses containing over $873,000, linking them to “terrorism and warfare” in Israel and Ukraine. Social media posts soliciting donations in cryptocurrencies for Hamas-related organizations have underscored the urgency of addressing potential misuse of crypto assets.
Israeli authorities are actively seeking public assistance to identify and track suspicious funds across crypto markets. The volunteer task force is deemed crucial in augmenting official resources to monitor and combat financial activities associated with terrorist organizations.
These parallel developments in Turkey and Israel underscore the intricate geopolitical dynamics in the region, adding a new layer of complexity to an already tense situation in the Middle East through the use of cryptocurrency in both the alleged Mossad recruitment and the Hamas funding freeze.
