Israeli Arab Sentenced to 4.5 Years for Spying for Iran

A Haifa Magistrate's Court on Tuesday sentenced Fares Abu Al-Hija, a 32-year-old resident of Jisr al-Zarqa, to four and a half years in prison after convicting him of contacting a foreign agent on behalf of Iranian entities. Investigations revealed that Abu Al-Hija carried out tasks on several occasions, photographing crowded public locations for Iranian handlers. After proving his capabilities, he was assigned to photograph the home of former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. He received approximately $3,000 for his services. He was arrested earlier this year while gathering intelligence. Investigations by the police and the Shin Bet security agency indicated he was in contact with a foreign entity later identified as belonging to Iranian intelligence.

In a related development, the Shin Bet and police announced last week the arrest of Sultan Abu Al-Hija, 31, from Tamra, on suspicion of contacting Hamas's military wing to provide covert assistance. Investigations showed he also communicated with Iranian intelligence but had not yet carried out any tasks for them before his arrest. Additionally, a 32-year-old resident of Majd al-Krum was apprehended on suspicion of performing security tasks for a Lebanese entity. Investigations suggest this suspect maintained contact for several months with a foreign operative he knew was from Lebanon. He was asked to perform security tasks in exchange for attempted payments, facilitated through the purchase and delivery of goods within Israel.