"He was ordered to gather data for Hezbollah\’s target list," Shin Bet says.
Security forces arrested a Swedish-Lebanese suspect at Ben-Gurion Airport on July 21, on suspicion of landing in Israel to gather intelligence on sensitive targets on behalf of Hezbollah, the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency announced on Sunday.
The suspect, Hassan Khalil Hizran, 55, was taken into custody after the Shin Bet received prior intelligence about him, suggesting that he has ties to Hezbollah.
"During questioning by the Shin Bet, Hizran confessed," the agency said, adding that the suspect provided an account of how he was recruited by the Hezbollah and subsequent cooperation with the Lebanese Shi\’ite terrorist organization.
In 2009, according to Hizran\’s testimony, he traveled with his wife and children to Lebanon, during which time, he received an offer to meet with Hezbollah operatives, and Hizran agreed, the Shin Bet said.
During secret meetings with Hezbollah members, Hizran was told that the Lebanese terrorist organization is seeking to recruit Palestinians living in Europe who hold foreign passports, and send them to Israel to gather intelligence for Hezbollah.
In 2011 and 2013, he traveled to Lebanon again, meeting each time with Hezbollah, according to the Shin Bet.