Palestinian woman arrested over espionage for Iran, Israel says
A 24-year-old Palestinian woman from Beit Ummar in the occupied West Bank has been arrested on suspicion of espionage for Iran, according to Israeli media on Monday.
A 24-year-old Palestinian woman from Beit Ummar in the occupied West Bank has been arrested on suspicion of espionage for Iran, according to Israeli media on Monday.
Arrested early in August, she has admitted to some of the allegations against her, according to a report by Channel 12, including having had lengthy contact with an Iranian agent and having carried our several missions on behalf of Iran.
Police and the Israeli military must now provide additional material to a military court in a case described as “highly security-sensitive,” Ynet reported, with judges demanding evidence such as technological tests and further intelligence operations to substantiate the charges against the suspect.
A gag order has been imposed on the case.
The suspect, whose investigation is being conducted jointly by the military and the Shin Bet intelligence service, will remain in custody for another eight days as of Monday.
It is the latest in a string of cases involving Israeli citizens accused of working for Iran since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Iran-backed Hamas. However, it is the first such case known to emerge from the occupied West Bank, although seven men from East Jerusalem were arrested last year.
Recent incidents include an Israeli soldier charged with passing information to Iran in exchange for money — including interception videos and photographs of missile landings — and a Bedouin teacher in the Negev accused of filming fighter jet takeoffs.
Last Thursday, officials also revealed that Iranian operatives hacked the Telegram account of former Interior and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked during the 12-day war. Shaked, who has not held office for more than two years, had previously been warned of Iranian attempts to eavesdrop on her communications.
