Israeli Arab Charged With Contacting Hamas and Iranian Intelligence

An indictment for security offenses is set to be filed Friday against Sultan Abu Elheiga, a 31-year-old resident of Tamra, in the Haifa District Court. According to the Shin Bet and Israel Police, the investigation revealed that Abu Elheiga attempted to contact the military wing of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and also established contact with Iranian intelligence officials.

Abu Elheiga was arrested on August 28 during a joint operation by the Shin Bet and the Northern District's Central Unit. The arrest was carried out by the National Guard's MAGAV (Border Police) forces, and he was taken for interrogation on suspicion of several security offenses.

Investigators found that Abu Elheiga approached the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, on multiple occasions, intending to provide covert assistance to the organization. Authorities have not yet detailed how these approaches were made, what assistance he intended to offer, or if his overtures were answered.

Furthermore, the Shin Bet and police claim Abu Elheiga also made contact with Iranian intelligence operatives. However, authorities stated he did not manage to carry out any missions for them before his arrest. Details regarding the nature of this contact or the alleged missions remain undisclosed.

Following approximately three weeks of investigation by the Shin Bet and the Northern District police, the Haifa District Prosecutor's Office is expected to file the indictment. This case follows a series of recent revelations involving alleged ties between Israeli citizens and Iranian entities, with some individuals indicted for allegedly receiving tasks from Iranian handlers, including information gathering and photographing sites within Israel, in exchange for payment.