Hamas Intelligence Chief Arrested in Egypt

Relatives of Mohammed Dababish, a top Hamas security official in the Gaza Strip, say he was arrested at Cairo airport while returning from a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.  Egyptian officials confirmed today that a member of Hamas’ military wing had been arrested before the weekend at Cairo’s airport because his name was on a wanted list for using falsified travel documents.The officials and relatives spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

Dababish is a top official in Hamas’ internal security unit, which oversees intelligence matters in Gaza. Hamas officials declined comment.

Egypt has arrested a string of Hamas figures since an Egyptian soldier was killed in a border shooting early this year.

According to Palestinian news agency Ma’an, Dabaeesh, also known as Abu Radwan, was arrested was arrested on suspicion of attempting to smuggle electronic equipment tworth wo million dollars of to Gaza via underground tunnels.

In reponse, Hamas warned that Dabaeesh’s imprisonment could lead to heightened tensions with Egypt, the reports said.

{Haaretz/Matzav.com}