In a joint operation, Turkish police, in collaboration with the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), arrested seven individuals on Friday, suspected of selling information to the Israeli intelligence service Mossad. The arrests were made following warrants issued by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

According to state-run Anadolu news agency, the suspects are accused of passing sensitive details to Mossad through private detectives. The raids were conducted in Istanbul and the west coast city of Izmir by police anti-terror and intelligence branch officers.

This comes after last month's detention of 34 individuals on similar charges of spying for Israel, with accusations including reconnaissance and activities involving the "pursuing, assaulting, and kidnapping" of foreign nationals in Turkey. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc stated that most of the suspects were charged with "political or military espionage" on behalf of Israeli intelligence.

Mossad is reported to have recruited Palestinians and Syrian nationals in Turkey as part of an operation against foreigners residing in the country. The recent arrests are seen as part of an ongoing effort by Turkish authorities to counter alleged espionage activities.

In response to these developments, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Israel of "serious consequences" if it proceeded with threats to attack Hamas officials on Turkish soil. The arrests are believed to be connected to an operation targeting "Palestinian nationals and their families" within the context of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as revealed in a prosecution document cited by Anadolu.