KUALA LUMPUR: The Gaza Interior and National Security Ministry has expressed its gratitude to Malaysian authorities for rescuing a Palestinian man who was kidnapped here last month.
Reacting to reports in the New Straits Times that the police had foiled a potentially lethal operation by Mossad operatives on Sept 28, the ministry yesterday said the Malaysian success exposed what the Zionist regime had attempted to pull off.
"Gaza appreciates the great efforts made by the Malaysian authorities in rescuing a Palestinian citizen who was kidnapped in Malaysia by Israel's Mossad.
"This has exposed the activities of Mossad members operating abroad and their larger network.
"While we thank the Malaysian police and security services, we denounce this crime committed by the occupation (Israelis) against one of our Palestinian people in Malaysia," the ministry said in the statement, adding that it was hopeful that the "perpetrators will be held accountable and tried".
In May last year, Israeli media reported that the Jewish state had declared war on Hamas worldwide. Top Israeli officials said they would go after all Hamas leaders, wherever they were.
They said Israeli forces would target Hamas leaders not only in Gaza, but in Iran, Qatar, Turkiye, and Malaysia.
On April 21, 2018, Fadi Mohamed al-Batsh, 35, a Palestinian professor and member of Hamas, was killed in a drive-by shooting in the capital here.
In the recent Mossad operation, carried out by locals under their payroll, two high-value Palestinian targets, both computer programming experts, were intercepted just after 10pm when the duo were about to enter their vehicle near Jalan Yap Kwan Seng here after dinner at a nearby mall.
A white vehicle drove up to them and four men exited before going for the one in the driver's seat.
They beat him as they dragged him into their vehicle and told him that their "boss wanted to have a word with him".
The other Palestinian tried to help his friend, but was warned to stay away. He later sought help and lodged a police report. The abducted Palestinian endured beatings inside the vehicle and at the chalet where he was taken to.
A video call was set up in front of the victim and with two men, believed to be Israelis, whose opening line was: "You know why you are here."
It is understood that the Israelis wanted to know about his experience in developing computer applications, besides Hamas' strength in developing software and information on other members of the Al-Qassam Brigade.
When the police raided the room, the interrogation was ongoing and the Israeli men on the other end of the line, who were momentarily confused by the ensuing chaos, could be heard saying: "Hello! Hello!" before the line was terminated.
The last question the Israelis asked the victim, just before police moved in, was who among the Hamas top leadership had met his friend.
Caretaker Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the authorities were investigating the incident. He added that the ministry would take action if claims that Mossad agents had entered Malaysia were true.