Israel’s so-called internal security and counterintelligence service, better known by the acronyms Shabak or Shin Bet, has arrested an illegal settler from the occupied West Bank on suspicion of spying for Iranian intelligence agencies, and collecting sensitive information on key figures in the regime.
According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12 television channel, the individual spied on former chief of the general staff of the Israeli military Herzi Halevi, and so-called security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
He purportedly filmed Halevi’s home and gathered intelligence on the security arrangements around Ben-Gvir’s residence. He later passed the intelligence on to his Iranian handlers in exchange for payment of $15,000.
The suspect was said to be acting on instructions from Iranian intelligence agents using detailed maps.
In late April, Israeli military prosecutors filed espionage charges against two air force soldiers on suspicion of collaborating with Iranian intelligence agencies.
Israel’s public broadcaster KAN News reported at the time that the two suspects, who worked as aircraft technicians on F-15 fighter jets at the Tel Nof airbase near Ashdod, passed sensitive military information to an Iranian handler.
Both were charged with aiding Iran during the US-Israeli aggression against the country.
Prosecutors asserted that the two servicemen were instructed by an Iranian agent to gather intelligence on high-profile Israeli figures, including Halevi and Ben-Gvir.
Earlier, two young men from central occupied lands were indicted on similar espionage charges, with prosecutors alleging one had already purchased a ticket to Dubai to meet his Iranian handler.
