On trial in Cyprus, a dual Lebanese-Swedish citizen admitted to being a member of Lebanon's Hezbollah terrorist militia, and confessed to scouting locations where large groups of Israeli vacationers could be attacked.

Hossam Taleb Yakoub said he had found several places, including hotels, where Israelis were present in abundance. Cyprus is a popular vacation spot for Israelis.

Yakoub explained that his local contact was a man code-named "Haman" - fitting given the upcoming festival of Purim. Yakoub also explained that Hezbollah and other terror groups are very active across Europe. Yakoub himself had carried out missions in France, Holland and Cyprus.

Seeking to lessen his sentence  he claimed he had no intention of directly taking part in any attacks on Israelis, but felt compelled to aid Hezbollah in order to "defend Lebanon."