Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of one of the founders of Hamas and former Shin Bet agent: Israel made a mistake by agreeing to a ceasefire.

Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of one of the founders of the Hamas terrorist organization and author of the book “Son of Hamas,” said on Friday that Israel made a mistake by agreeing to a ceasefire with Gaza’s terrorist rulers.

Yousef has spent a number of years abroad following a decade in which he risked his life working undercover as an agent for the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). His code name during that time was 'The Green Prince.'

"What is important is that at the moment there is a ceasefire, and I think we need to look at things and digest all of what happened," Yousef told Israel’s Channel 2 News in a special interview.

"I believe the Shin Bet did its best,” he added. “Let's not forget that our enemy is a barbaric one which uses women and children as human shields, and in these situations we are very limited, because we care about the lives of innocent citizens.”

Asked about the possibility of an Israeli ground operation in Gaza, Yousef responded that "it may be that it was not the best timing for action of this kind - but I'm sure it's a possibility that Israel will consider for the future."

"Israel should not reoccupy Gaza, but I believe that it has the ability to guard the borders through which Hamas transfers weapons," said Yousef, adding that he believes there may be another round of violence between the two sides. "Today we know that they have greater capabilities than ever before. I'm sure it will allow us to prepare for the future,” he said.

Speaking about the possibility that Israel would have to work towards toppling the Hamas regime in Gaza, the former Shin Bet agent said, "This is necessary, but we have to work very hard for it. This is necessary not only for Israel - but for the benefit of humanity. Hamas was born to destroy. It cannot build.”

"I have trouble believing that Hamas will be able to one day build a modern state,” said Yousef. “I hope their lies will be exposed to the Palestinian public."

He praised the State of Israel, saying that "Israel helps the Palestinian people more than anyone else: every day it provides electricity and even the salaries paid to employees come from banks in Israel. There is also humanitarian aid that enters Gaza.”

Finally, he turned to his father, Hassan Yousef, and other Hamas leaders and said, "I want to say to the members of the organization, including my father, who are listening to this interview - brave people do not hide behind children and fire missiles. If they had even a bit of courage - they would be able to leave Gaza instead of hiding like rats."

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)