Philippines foils alleged Hamas plot to hit Israeli targets
Israel fears that Hamas’ presence in East Asian countries could threaten its interests in the Philippines after an alleged Hamas plot to target Israelis there was revealed.
The Philippine National Police recently revealed an alleged plan by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement to bolster its presence in the Philippines by inciting violence against Israelis in the southeast Asian country.
On Feb. 15, the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted police intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Neil Alinsangan as saying that his unit had unveiled a Hamas plot against Israeli targets in the Philippines after exchanging information with other security services in the Philippines and abroad. The intelligence showed links between a Palestinian-based group in the country and a Hamas operative identified as Fares al-Shikli, the alleged head of Hamas’ Foreign Liaison Section. There is an Interpol red notice for Shikli, who is accused of logistical support for terrorism.
