Israeli Citizen Arrested for Contacting Hamas Military Wing and Iranian Intelligence

An Israeli citizen, Sultan Abu Alheija, 31, from Tamra, has been arrested and faces serious charges for allegedly engaging in dangerous security activities. Investigations by the Shin Bet and the Northern District police revealed that Abu Alheija initiated contact with the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, intending to provide them with covert assistance from within Israel. He also reportedly established direct contact with Iranian intelligence officials.

Abu Alheija was apprehended on August 28, 2026, by a joint operation involving the Border Police's Northern National Guard, Shin Bet investigators, and Northern District police. During his interrogation, it emerged that he had proactively reached out to Hamas multiple times. The security forces' intervention prevented him from carrying out any missions for his alleged handlers in Tehran.

Prosecutors are set to file a severe indictment against Abu Alheija in the Haifa District Court. The Shin Bet and Israel Police emphasized their zero tolerance for any Israeli citizen involved in activities that endanger national security and vowed to use all available means to prosecute those involved.

This case is part of a broader pattern of attempted recruitment of Israeli citizens by Iranian intelligence and Hamas, often through social media and online platforms, for intelligence gathering, espionage, and sabotage. Israeli security agencies are actively combating these recruitment efforts, maintaining close surveillance to detect early contact with hostile entities. The exposure of this plot highlights Tehran's determination to infiltrate hostile influence into Israel's Arab community, as well as the security apparatus's vigilance in thwarting such connections in their initial stages.