A world of burner phones, cryptic digital messages, and cryptocurrency payments recently culminated in a dramatic arrest in Israel. An Arab Israeli man has been indicted for allegedly spying on behalf of Iran, with former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as a primary target.
Fares Abu Al-Hija, 32, from Kaukab Abu al-Hija in northern Israel, was taken into custody several weeks ago. According to a joint statement from police and the Shin Bet security agency, he was caught in the act of surveilling Gallant.
Prosecutors detail a covert operation where Abu Al-Hija allegedly communicated via Telegram with a handler known as “Martin.” Payments for his missions were reportedly funneled through the Binance cryptocurrency application. The shocking detail? He allegedly continued his work even after suspecting his contact was a foreign agent.
His tasks were seemingly innocuous but held sinister implications. They included purchasing and hiding mobile phones in cities like Haifa and Kiryat Haim, activating them, and documenting their locations. He was also reportedly instructed to deliver an envelope with a crypto access code and photograph a café in Tel Aviv. The alleged plot escalated when he was asked to photograph streets near Gallant’s home in Amikam. It was there, as he sent images to his handler, that he was apprehended.
This arrest highlights a growing concern. Israeli security services report a significant increase in Iranian attempts to recruit and operate civilians within Israel. They issue a stern warning: any involvement in activities that threaten state security will be met with the utmost severity, ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.
Source: https://worldisraelnews.com/iran-surveilled-former-israeli-defense-minister/
