ISLAMABAD: Turkish intelligence services have successfully dismantled acovert Israeli operative cell in Istanbul that was planning sophisticatedsupply chain infiltrations reminiscent of the deadly 2024 pager explosionstargeting Hezbollah in Lebanon. The operation, uncovered in a joint effortby the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and Istanbul police,highlights escalating shadow confrontations between Turkish authorities andIsraeli intelligence amid regional tensions. Sources indicate the cellsought to procure and repackage technology items for espionage andpotential sabotage against Palestinian targets, drawing direct parallels toMossad’s earlier tactics that caused over 40 deaths and 1,500 injuries inLebanon.
The arrested suspects include a primary operative identified as MehmetBudak Derya, reportedly recruited by Israeli handlers as early as 2012.This individual was tasked with gathering intelligence on Palestinianactivities and scouting locations, including warehouses potentially linkedto Gaza operations. The cell’s strategy involved establishing shellcompanies to penetrate global supply chains, procuring components such asdrone parts and communication hardware, then modifying and redirecting themto designated targets under Israeli direction. This approach mirrors theintricate method used in the September 2024 Lebanon incident, wherecompromised pagers were inserted into Hezbollah’s logistics undetected.
In the 2024 Hezbollah pager attack, Israeli intelligence allegedlyexploited commercial networks and front entities to booby-trap devices withexplosives like PETN, leading to simultaneous detonations across Lebanonand parts of Syria. The blasts, which occurred on September 17 and 18,resulted in at least 39 fatalities and thousands wounded, includingcivilians, marking one of the most audacious covert operations in recentMiddle East conflicts. Israeli officials, including Mossad chief DavidBarnea, later acknowledged aspects of the operation in public statements,describing it as a game-changer against Hezbollah capabilities.
Turkish security sources emphasized that the Istanbul cell’s activitiesrepresented a direct emulation of those supply chain manipulationtechniques, shifting focus toward Palestinian and possibly other regionalinterests within Turkey’s borders. The bust occurred recently, with arrestsfollowing surveillance and intelligence gathering that exposed thenetwork’s long-term operations. This development underscores Turkey’sheightened vigilance against foreign espionage, particularly amid itscritical stance on Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
The incident adds to a pattern of Turkish countermeasures against perceivedIsraeli covert activities on its soil. Earlier, in 2024, Turkey’s MITintercepted a separate shipment at Istanbul Airport containing 1,300explosive-laden pagers and around 700 chargers en route to Lebanon fromHong Kong, just days after the original Hezbollah blasts. That thwarting,reportedly aided by a Hezbollah tip-off, prevented what could have been asecond wave of attacks potentially causing hundreds more casualties.Forensic analysis confirmed the devices matched models used in the Lebanonexplosions, reinforcing suspicions of linked operations.
Analysts view these events as part of a broader intelligence shadow warinvolving Mossad and MIT, exacerbated by Turkey’s support for Palestiniancauses and its opposition to Israeli military campaigns. The use ofcommercial supply chains for weaponization raises serious concerns aboutglobal trade vulnerabilities and the risks of everyday devices being turnedinto remote explosives. Such tactics blur lines between espionage andterrorism, prompting calls for international scrutiny of supply chainsecurity in sensitive technologies.
The foiled plot in Turkey demonstrates effective counterintelligence,potentially disrupting future attempts to replicate the pager model againstother groups or in different theaters. With the cell dismantled, Turkishauthorities are believed to be continuing investigations into widernetworks and possible accomplices. This success bolsters Ankara’s positionin regional security dynamics while exposing the persistent threats fromstate-sponsored covert actions.
The broader implications extend to international relations, as Turkey’sdisclosures may strain already tense ties with Israel. Diplomaticrepercussions could emerge, particularly given Turkey’s NATO membership andits balancing act in Middle East affairs. Observers note that such bustsserve as deterrents, signaling robust defenses against infiltrationattempts disguised as legitimate business.
Source:https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-links-israeli-spy-cell-hezbollah-pager-attack-style-supply-chain-infiltration
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