Northern Israel Resident Charged with Espionage for Iran on Ideological Grounds

According to investigators, Awad initiated contact with Iranian operatives via the Telegram messaging application. He allegedly offered his services out of ideological motivation, a desire for revenge, and solidarity with terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah, rather than for financial compensation. During a raid on his home, security forces arrested Awad and seized his mobile phones and computers.

Awad is accused of carrying out intelligence-gathering missions that involved photographing strategic facilities, military bases, and police stations. He then transmitted these images along with their precise coordinates to his Iranian handlers for potential future use. Following the completion of the investigation, the Haifa District Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against Awad in the Haifa Magistrate's Court on Sunday, November 15, 2026, alongside a request to detain him until the conclusion of the legal proceedings.