Still in captivity - Gilad Shalit
Photo: Noam Rotem
Hamas says thwarted Israeli attempt to locate Shalit
Israel attempted to locate captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit's hideout via collaborator in Hamas' military wing, Egyptian paper says; sources in group say agent maintained ties with senior figure, fled to Israel after being uncovered
Hamas thwarted an Israeli attempt to discover captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit's whereabouts, Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram reported Thursday based on Palestinian sources.
Hamas sources said that Israel attempted to identify the hideout where Shalit is held through a collaborator in the group's military wing. The Palestinians said the man is a resident of central Gaza and that for three years he was responsible for providing two-way radios to the Izz-al-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
The Palestinian report has not been confirmed by Israel.
Hunting Collaborators
Alex Fishman
Distressed Hamas in midst of massive hunt for collaborators, spree of executions in Strip
According to the sources, the man maintained ties with top Hamas leaders, until his behavior raised the suspicions of a senior group figure.
Ynet learned that the man, identified as Al Masra'a, attempted to maintain direct ties with the military wing's leaders, including top commander Ahmed al-Jabari.
According to Hamas sources, the man's mission was to uncover Shalit's hiding spot by installing bugs in the two-way radios he would hand over to Hamas man. He apparently also attempted to make use of his personal ties with Hamas men in order to elicit information about Shalit's whereabouts.
Hamas sources said that group members rushed to get rid of their two-way radios after discovering that Masra'a was an Israeli agent. According to the report, Israeli found out that its agent had been uncovered, contacted him, and instructed him to reach a deserted area in eastern Gaza city, where an Israeli tank reportedly waited for him and removed him from the Strip.
According to the report, Hamas men attempted to nab Masra'a during his escape but were unable to catch up with his vehicle.
