Shin Bet agent discusses his 'special relationship' with a Hamas spy

[Timna]

Shin Bet agent discusses his 'special relationship' with a Hamas spy
G., aka 'Captain Loai,' was a Shin Bet man who ran agent Mosab Yousef - the son of a Hamas leader and the security service's top source in that militant organization. 'I admire the road he took,' G. tells Haaretz in an exclusive interview about his relationship with an enemy-turned-friend.
By Avi Issacharoff

Something in my acquaintanceship with Mosab diverted me from the path I had chosen," says G., a former Shin Bet security service coordinator who later became responsible for all the coordinators. He was also one of the handlers of the "Green Prince," the agency's code name for Mosab Hassan Yousef. G. left the Shin Bet four years ago, but still seems to miss the period when he pursued wanted individuals in Ramallah - and also perhaps the days and nights he spent with Yousef, the source and agent who became his good friend.

Shin Bet agent discusses his 'special relationship' with a Hamas spy - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

[Chris]

Very interesting story. I think the "son of Hamas" is going to be at Joel Rosenberg's conference.

[Timna]

The article is interesting and it has some points that are revealing about Israel. One that caught my attention is the fact that the Shin Bet apparently had little concrete info on Hamas. I was surprized at that. Another was that the SB agent was a leftist before becoming an agent. Thirdly was the apparent coldness of the intelligence apparatus in Israel, cold and machine like as the agent was ousted from SB with no concern for his contacts and other beneficial usefulness. I have read other books on Israeli intelligence that corroborated this detached coldness though.

[Chris]

I think Israel might have a hard time gaining concrete info on Hamas as they are confined to a small area in Gaza and that people are not allowed to come and go. The Hamas' actions with Shalit, moving him around twice a week, etc. might be an indication of the cat and mouse game being played by both sides???

[Timna]

I think Israel might have a hard time gaining concrete info on Hamas as they are confined to a small area in Gaza and that people are not allowed to come and go. The Hamas' actions with Shalit, moving him around twice a week, etc. might be an indication of the cat and mouse game being played by both sides???

Yes, the Moslems are actually pretty stupid politically (although they have outsmarted Israel in the public relations arena many times), but they have learned enough to know that Israel is capable of extending its long arm into places they didn't expect. No doubt though, given the amount of time since Shalit's capture, Israel has surely established some contacts as to where Shalit might be. Recall when Ashkenazi came out and stated that Israel knew where Shalit was being held. Either Israel really knew or Ash was tossing out that fact to smoke Hamas out a bit. In any event, it would be wonderful if Israel could pull off a rescue of Shalit.

[Chris]

Yes, the Moslems are actually pretty stupid politically (although they have outsmarted Israel in the public relations arena many times), but they have learned enough to know that Israel is capable of extending its long arm into places they didn't expect. No doubt though, given the amount of time since Shalit's capture, Israel has surely established some contacts as to where Shalit might be. Recall when Ashkenazi came out and stated that Israel knew where Shalit was being held. Either Israel really knew or Ash was tossing out that fact to smoke Hamas out a bit. In any event, it would be wonderful if Israel could pull off a rescue of Shalit.

I saw an article just the other day where it said that Hamas was moving Shalit around every couple of days as the Hamas were afraid of an operation to rescue him. Obviously Hamas fears that their security or intelligence operations has been compromised if they are afraid of an rescue operation. Normally news doesn;'t come out very often talking about Hamas being afraid of stuff like that. Usually it's some more Islamic alpha male drivel aimed at Israel. Maybe something spooked them, like the comments by Ashkenazi and it planted seeds of doubt into the Hamas mind?

[Timna]

I saw an article just the other day where it said that Hamas was moving Shalit around every couple of days as the Hamas were afraid of an operation to rescue him. Obviously Hamas fears that their security or intelligence operations has been compromised if they are afraid of an rescue operation. Normally news doesn;'t come out very often talking about Hamas being afraid of stuff like that. Usually it's some more Islamic alpha male drivel aimed at Israel. Maybe something spooked them, like the comments by Ashkenazi and it planted seeds of doubt into the Hamas mind?

Hamas clearly doesn't trust their own abilities or people and the Yousef situation showed how vulnerable they are at times.