Hamas arrests 45 spies over commander's death

By Nour Abu Aysha

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – Hamas-run security forces have detained 45 spies in connection with the killing of a group commander in March.

Mazen Fuqaha, a commander of Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, was gunned down in the southern Gaza Strip in March.

"Investigations have resulted in the arrest of three spies, who took part in Fuqaha's assassination," Tawfiq Abu Naem, undersecretary of Hamas-run interior ministry, told a press conference in Gaza City on Tuesday.

He said security forces have arrested 45 spies as part of the investigations into the killing.

According to Abu Naem, some of the alleged spies were involved in the 2004 assassination of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

He said Israel was behind Fuqaha's killing, saying three of the detained spies confessed they had received direct instructions from Israel for carrying out the assassination.

Last week, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh announced the arrest of Fuqaha's assassin.