Lebanon dismantles 'largest' Israeli spy network operating in the country
Lebanon dismantles 'largest' Israeli spy network operating in the country
At least 35 suspected members of the network were interrogated - 20 of whom were arrested - over the past four weeks.
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Many of the network's recruitsÌýparticipatedÌýdue to a desperateÌýneed for moneyÌýas the country remains mired in a political and economical crisis [Getty]
intelligence has dismantled the "largest"Ìý espionageÌýnetwork operating in the country,Ìýa local mediaÌýoutlet reported on Monday.
The Internal Security Forces' information branch uncovered over 15 Israeli spy networks working independently across Lebanon and even reaching neighbouringÌý - in one of Lebanon's "largest security operations carried out since 2009", Lebanese dailyÌýAl-AkhbarÌý³¦±ô²¹¾±³¾±ð»å.
Over 35 alleged members of the network were interrogated over the past month, and at least 20 suspects were arrested.Ìý
The arrestsÌýprevented efforts to "tamper withÌýsecurity and sabotage the stability" in Lebanon,ÌýPrime Minister Najib Mikati said in a cabinet statement read out by Information Minister Abbas Halabi.
The spies were found to be monitoring and providing information on and PalestinianÌýfactions in Lebanon, including Hamas, according to Al-Akhbar.
The network reportedlyÌýpenetrated the information branch of security services and allegedly becameÌýclose to its leadership, the report said.
One ofÌýthe suspects revealed that one of his aims was to disclose information on officers in the branch.
A number ofÌýLebaneseÌýnon-governmental organisations and associations were also reportedly infiltrated, with the purpose of collectingÌýdata on the country's political and social situation, the report said.
A Syrian civilianÌýwas also arrested in Damascus for allegedly monitoring civilian, military, and commercial sites for the network - although the suspect saidÌýheÌýwas not aware that the network wasÌýconnected toÌýIsrael.
Communication through the network occurred via websites, closed chat rooms, andÌýphone calls using Lebanese phone numbers, according to the claims.
The majority of recruits were made via social media platforms, the report said, adding that most of the recruits were successful due to a desperateÌýneed for money.
Israel has been at the centre of espionage accusations over the past year after the country's hacker-for-hire company developed , activists andÌýdiplomats globally.
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