The Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, arrested three soldiers and a civilian in March 2026 on suspicion of working for Iranian intelligence operatives before their military service and carrying out security missions under their direction.
The joint operation by the Shin Bet, the Israel Police’s Lahav 433 national crime unit, and military investigators uncovered what authorities say were long-term contacts with Iranian intelligence handlers.
Investigations revealed that the suspects—while still minors before being drafted into the Israel Defense Forces—carried out various missions knowing they were working for Iranian intelligence. One of the operatives recruited the other suspects, according to investigators.
The group photographed sites across Israel and was asked to purchase weapons. They documented and sent their handlers photos and videos of train stations, shopping centers, security cameras, and the Air Force Technical School where some of the suspects studied.
Some of the suspects reached out to their handler on their own initiative to carry out security missions, and some were involved in property damage as part of the relationship, investigators said.
This case joins a series of recent incidents showing repeated attempts by hostile terror and intelligence elements to recruit Israeli citizens to carry out missions aimed at harming Israel’s security and its residents.