The Islamic State group claims it has captured a Mossad agent who posed as a foreign fighter in Syria.
The Sunni radical terror organization’s online magazine, Dabiq, said Thursday that it captured Israeli Arab Muhammad Musallam, claiming the 19-year-old was sent to gain intelligence on weapons caches, bases and Palestinian recruits, Reuters reported.
Mr. Musallam’s father, Said, said that his son disappeared after traveling to Turkey and was taken by his abductors to Syria.
“He said, ’Dad, I need $200 or $300 so they will let me go,’” Mr. Musallam’s father told the news service. Soon afterward the elder Musallam received a phone call saying his son was in the hands of the Islamic State group.
“He went on his own initiative [on Oct. 24], without his family’s knowledge,” an Israeli security official told Reuters.
The news service asked if the statement constituted a denial that Mr. Musallam is an Israeli agent.
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“You can understand it that way, yes,” the official said, Reuters reported.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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