SouthernWorldwide.com – The Israeli police have revealed that Iran is employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, including social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, along with blackmail, to recruit spies within Israel.
This revelation comes in the wake of the arrest of two Israeli air force personnel on charges of espionage, highlighting Iran’s persistent and expanding efforts to infiltrate Israel’s military by recruiting operatives from within its ranks.
In the past year and a half, Israeli police, in collaboration with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), have been investigating a significant number of cases. Over 20 investigations have been launched, involving an estimated 40 to 50 suspects. While most of these individuals are currently in custody, investigators believe that additional suspects may still be at large.
Captain Sefi Berger, from the Israel Police’s Lahav International and Major Crimes Unit, which spearheads investigations into Iranian espionage, informed Fox News Digital that Tehran’s primary objective is to acquire intelligence that could assist in planning attacks. They also seek information pertaining to high-profile individuals and other sensitive targets.
The financial incentives offered by Iran vary considerably. One network of seven suspects reportedly received approximately $300,000. In contrast, an Iron Dome reservist allegedly received a mere $1,000, with some cases involving even smaller sums.
“People might believe they will become wealthy, but the money is not life-changing,” Berger stated. “In one instance last year, involving two soldiers, one received just $21 and has been imprisoned for a year and a half.”
Iranian recruitment strategies are diverse. They involve infiltrating WhatsApp and Facebook groups that Israelis use to search for freelance work. Additionally, they target pornography websites, where agents allegedly leverage compromising material to blackmail individuals into cooperation. Emotional manipulation of individuals whose moral judgment might be compromised also plays a role in recruitment.
“When recruiting a person, a relationship can develop between the handler and the spy. Sometimes the asset is looking for a father figure or a friend — someone who listens without judgment,” Berger explained.
Read more : Trump Blockade's Impact on Iran: Oil Dumping Suspected, Experts Claim
Gonen Ben Itzhak, a former Shin Bet handler with extensive experience in recruiting sources within Palestinian society, emphasized the gravity of the situation. He noted that he has not previously witnessed such a high volume of attempts, including successful cases, of spying against Israel.
“The million-dollar question is who makes a good recruit. We don’t have a clear answer. There are certain indicators that someone may be more susceptible. The Iranians use social media — something we didn’t have in the same way — and it’s a powerful tool to identify potential motives,” he commented.
Ben Itzhak outlined his approach as a handler, focusing on recruiting as many viable candidates as possible while actively avoiding individuals likely to attract suspicion, such as known criminals. He described the recruitment process as gradual and inherently uncertain.
“At first, they need to agree to meet in secret. Sometimes they come but won’t share information. I would start with simple questions — who leads Hamas in their village,” he recounted.
“Sometimes it takes time. Some refuse to cooperate, some may even act as double agents. In many cases, they are trained to collect information without being exposed. It’s a process,” Ben Itzhak added.
On Friday, indictments were filed against an Israeli civilian and three soldiers who were arrested in March. They are suspected of working for Iranian intelligence and carrying out security-related missions under its direction before enlisting in the IDF.
As part of the alleged operations, the defendants reportedly documented and sent their handlers photos and videos of various locations, including train stations, shopping centers, and security cameras. They were also allegedly instructed to purchase weapons. Furthermore, they are accused of transferring documents from the Air Force Technical School, where some of the suspects had studied.
In March, Ami Gaydarov, a 22-year-old resident of Haifa, was arrested on suspicion of manufacturing explosives intended to target a senior Israeli figure, acting under the direction of an Iranian agent.
Last month, a man from the Israeli-Arab city of Qalansawe was detained on suspicion of spying for “a hostile actor, mediated through the Al Jazeera channel.” Investigations suggest that Miqdad Moder Hosni Natur made contact with his handler after being introduced while seeking job opportunities through the Qatari-owned news organization.
Under Israeli law, contact with a foreign agent can lead to a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. Providing intelligence can result in more than 10 years’ imprisonment. Aiding the enemy during wartime carries a minimum sentence of life imprisonment, with the death penalty being a possibility in extreme cases.
Berger also issued a warning against attempts by Israelis to deceive foreign agents, emphasizing that any contact constitutes a serious offense.
“We had a hotel worker near the Dead Sea who falsely told Iranians that a group of Israelis would arrive. He said it was a lie, but I explained he had effectively put a target on that hotel, its staff and guests, and encouraged an attack,” Berger stated.
“People unfamiliar with this world should not engage in it. Contact is an offense, providing information is an offense, and aiding the enemy is the most severe,” he reiterated.
While the majority of suspects remain in custody awaiting trial, some cases are progressing through the legal system.
One concluded case involved Moti Maman, a 70-year-old man who was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He had entered Iran twice, where he met with intelligence agents to discuss carrying out terrorist activities in Israel. During these meetings, he also discussed the potential assassination of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Gad Shimron, a former Mossad operative, told Fox News Digital that while the espionage efforts have caused damage, their impact appears to be tactical rather than strategic. However, he cautioned against complacency.
“The electronic Iron Dome is trying to catch Israelis willing to work for the Iranians, and I believe it is quite efficient,” he said. “But one should never underestimate the enemy. I am sure they are investing a lot of effort and that they have some successes we don’t yet know of.”
