More than 150 terrorists released in the October 10 ceasefire have been staying in luxury five-star hotels in Cairo alongside unsuspecting tourists, according to a report by a British outlet on Saturday.
The Daily Mail tracked down the 154 terrorists released to Egypt at the Marriott’s five-star Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel.
Journalists from the Mail were able to book rooms at the hotel without any warning of there being ISIS and Hamas members there, the newspaper reported while sharing photos of the terrorists alongside Western tourists in swimwear. The Mail reported that many glared toward Western women in their bikinis enjoying their vacation.
The hotel, with rooms that start at approximately NIS 800 a night, has a number of amenities, including a spa, fitness center, restaurants, outdoor pool, and a hair salon.
Threat to the West
Some of the terrorists are reportedly looking to settle down in Turkey, Qatar, and Tunisia, which security experts warned could be a threat to global security.
Prof. Anthony Glees, emeritus professor at the University of Buckingham, told the Mail that “these people are our sworn enemies. They will cut off the heads of British soldiers and kill left, right, and center.
“We must not let them collect together. There can be no hiding place for these people. Otherwise, you are setting up a terrorist army in exile – it will be Hezbollah 2.0.”
The Mail also quoted former Israeli intelligence officer “Guy C.” that “there are no restrictions on their movements in these countries... They can walk freely, travel to Europe – even the UK – receive donations from naive supporters,
and gain backing from protesters who already sympathize with them.
“The first thing these terrorists will do when they reach Turkey or Qatar is contact their associates in Gaza and the West Bank to send money and re-establish their networks. They will quickly regroup and form new terror cells.”
Who are the terrorists living in Cairo's luxury?
The terrorists were often seen withdrawing large quantities of cash, which is thought to have been delivered to the released prisoners as part of the Palestinian Authority’s pay-for-slay policy, which rewards terrorists with up to £33,000 (NIS 145,000) a year. Some, according to Palestinian Media Watch, had saved the sums until their bank balance reached six figures.
Among the occupants of the hotel is reportedly 57-year-old Mahmoud Issa, who founded the Special Unit 101 of the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, a unit that specializes in abduction.
A key ally of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Hamas had been upset that he was not freed in the 2011 deal alongside him. He was first imprisoned in 1993.
ISIS terrorist Izz a-Din al-Hamamrah, 47, who recruited suicide bombers and planned hijackings; bus bomb mastermind Samir Abu Nima, 64; ambusher Muhammad Zawahra, 52; kidnapper Ismail Hamdan, 57; and murderer Yousuf Dawud, 39, are also reportedly among those staying at the hotel.
Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson David Mencer told the Mail that Israel freed them not to reward evil but because it values human life above all.
“A bitter price, but one our people have paid across the ages to reclaim kin from the hands of Jew-haters,” he said.
Akram Abu Bakr, a terrorist who played a role in multiple shooting and bombing attacks, reportedly celebrated his wedding at the venue last week.