Israeli Arab man charged with contacting Hamas and Iranian intelligence

Sultan Abu al-Hija, a 31-year-old Israeli Arab resident of Tamra, was taken into custody in a coordinated operation by Shin Bet, the Israel Police Northern District Central Unit, and Northern National Guard Border Police. Prosecutors allege that he repeatedly reached out to Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades in the Gaza Strip, seeking to provide covert assistance, and also communicated with Iranian intelligence agents.

The investigation asserts that he was apprehended before he could execute any tasks for the groups. A formal indictment on security offenses is scheduled to be submitted to the Haifa District Court on Friday. Shin Bet and the police emphasized the seriousness of any Israeli citizen’s involvement in activities that threaten state security and pledged to use all legal tools to prosecute such cases.