Prosecutors file charges against a man for allegedly gathering intelligence on former defense minister Yoav Gallant on behalf of an Iranian agent
The defendant, Fares Abu al-Hija, was arrested in late January after taking photos of streets near Gallant’s home in Amikam at the behest of his handler, according to the indictment filed today.
A joint statement from the police and the Shin Bet security service says the defendant is from the Galilee village of Kaukab Abu al-Hija, about an hour north of Gallant’s residence.
He first came into contact with the Iranian agent on Telegram while searching for work on the messaging app in August last year, prosecutors write.
He was paid in cryptocurrency to carry out intelligence-gathering missions. Before spying on the ex-defense minister, the defendant was allegedly sent by his Iranian handler to take photos and videos of a cafe in Tel Aviv, for which he earned $1,000 in cryptocurrency.
He is indicted on the charge of contact with a foreign agent. Prosecutors are requesting that he be kept in custody until the end of legal proceedings against him.
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From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 16, 2026
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