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Israel arrests 7 individuals suspected of planning assassinations on behalf of Iran

22 October 2024 12:08 (UTC +04:00)

Israel has arrested seven East Jerusalem residents on suspicion of planning attacks in Israel, including the assassination of an Israeli nuclear scientist and a mayor in central Israel, APA reports citing The Times of Israel.

The suspects are all aged 19 to 23, officials in the police and Shin Bet say. The leader of the ring, a 23-year-old named Rami Alian, was recruited by an Iranian agent. None of the suspects had a criminal or security-related record.

The cell was active for some two years. They were given various missions for which they were paid thousands of shekels, including graffiti demanding the release of hostages in Gaza and vandalism in Jerusalem, and also tasked with photographing various locations.

At one point they were told to hurl a grenade at an Israeli security serviceman, though this was not carried out.

Alian was given a photo and address of the nuclear scientist and told he would be paid NIS 200,000 ($53,000) if he succeeded. Authorities say he began preparations for the act, but the cell was arrested before it could move forward.

According to Channel 12 news, Alian told investigators he was aware he was working for Iranians and wanted to harm national security, citing the war in Gaza.

Note that yesterday Israel arrested seven citizens of Azerbaijani origin on charges of spying for Iran.