Israeli security authorities arrested last month a Palestinian holding a Canadian passport, suspected of being recruited by Hamas activists in the Gaza Strip to carry out attacks in Canada and the United States, Israel said Monday.
Jamal Aqel, 23, was born in the Nusseirat refugee camp in
the Gaza Strip and emigrated to Canada in 1999. While he
was visiting the Gaza Strip, he was allegedly contacted by
Hamas activist Ahmed Wehbe, who is suspected of teaching
Aqel to fire weapons and prepare explosive devices.
According to the Israeli media, Aqel was instructed to follow Israeli VIPs arriving in the United States and to assassinate them using an M16 rifle.
Moreover, he was also allegedly told to carry out attacks
against members of the Jewish communities in Canada and the United States.
The Israeli security services, also known as the Shin Bet, said that "in order to cover up Hamas’ responsibility for the attacks, al-Qaeda would claim responsibility for them," the reports said.
According to his Israeli investigators, Aqel received money for his activities from mosques in Canada. (Albawaba.com)
