Israeli police and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency say they have arrested a network of Israeli citizens who were spying for Iran, providing information on military bases and monitoring individuals.
Investigators said the ring operated for about two years. According to Israeli press reports, the suspects are accused of photographing and collecting information on Israeli bases and facilities, the security headquarters known as Kirya in Tel Aviv and the Nevadim and Ramat David air bases.
The Nevadim base was targeted by both Iranian missile attacks this year, and Ramat David was targeted by Hezbollah.
“This is one of the most serious security cases investigated in recent years,” state prosecutors said, adding that police said the group carried out 600 missions in two years.
Following the arrest in September of an Israeli businessman accused of spying for Iran, news of an alleged ring involving two minors allegedly traveled to Iran twice to discuss the possibility of assassinating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. the Minister of Defense, Yeov Gallant, or the head of internal intelligence of the Shin Bet, Ronen Barr.
The men, identified as Jewish immigrants from Azerbaijan living in the Haifa area, were arrested a month ago and are expected to be charged with aiding the enemy in times of war.
According to a report published on Monday, seven Israeli citizens were arrested for collecting confidential information about the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bases and energy infrastructure.
According to Haaretz, the suspects allegedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars in money transfers and cryptocurrency from Russian intermediaries.
Three of the suspects who allegedly took photographs of important sites in southern Israel were arrested and police recovered dozens of documents they had in their possession.
“Over two years, the investigation revealed that the suspects carried out numerous security operations under the direction of two Iranian intelligence agents known as 'Alkhan' and 'Orkhan,'” one report said.
“Members of the network knew that the intelligence they provided compromised national security and could facilitate enemy missile attacks. The network conducted extensive reconnaissance at IDF bases across the country, focusing on naval and air force facilities, ports, Iron Dome system locations, and energy infrastructure such as the Hadera power plant. .
“These activities were financially compensated with payments of hundreds of thousands of dollars, often facilitated through cryptocurrencies,” the report added, adding that those detained were motivated by “greed.”
“The operation included photographing and documenting strategic sites, and the data collected was transferred to Iranian agents. Members of the network used advanced equipment purchased specifically for these missions under Iranian direction.
“There was a system,” said Yaron Binyamin, one of the investigating police officers. “They collected dozens of documents indicating the exact location to film, what information to collect and how much to pay. Actual price list.
“They are first tasked with filming a location, then traveling there, unloading the equipment and finding an opportunity, then delivering the photos to their Iranian handlers via encrypted software.”
Those arrested were also allegedly involved in gathering intelligence information on several Israeli citizens at the behest of Iranian agents.
This includes conducting surveillance on targeted individuals. Some members were arrested while attempting to gather information about an Israeli citizen living near their location, after security assessments indicated possible Iranian plans to harm this person.
The recent arrests suggest that Israel's well-developed intelligence operations targeting Iran, Gaza and Hezbollah are not a conduit, as Iran and its proxies also operate in Israel.
Israel's prosecutor suggested that other, as yet undisclosed, cases could be under investigation.
