Foiled Iranian plot to assassinate Netanyahu and top officials, says Israel
Israel has announced that their forces foiled an Iranian-backed assassination plot, arresting a suspect who allegedly received funds from Iran to plan attacks on high-profile officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, international media reported.
A joint statement from Israel Police and domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet revealed that the suspect, an Israeli citizen who had previously lived in Turkey, was arrested last month.
Authorities reported that the man had met with Iranian officials in Iran earlier this year, where they were tasked with photographing sensitive sites and smuggling money and weapons into Israel. During a subsequent visit in August, the suspect was allegedly instructed to orchestrate assassination attempts on Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Shin Bet chief Ronan Bar.
A view of the sea
Additionally, the suspect was asked to investigate a possible assassination plot against former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The thwarted plan was reportedly Iran’s retaliation for the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July, who was killed by Israel.
The suspect had requested $1 million for the assassinations but was denied, receiving only $5,000 for their initial efforts. Israeli police spokesman Master Sgt. Dean Elsdunne stated in a video that the suspect had attempted to collaborate with others under Iranian intelligence in Israel to carry out the plot.
In a related development, Shin Bet disclosed this week that it had also prevented an Iranian-sponsored Hezbollah plan to kill a former senior defence official using a remote explosive device.
In addition, Israel pre-emptively struck Hezbollah rocket launch sites in Lebanon last month to avert a major attack, following the death of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Israel has launched a series of deadly explosions in Lebanon this week, which resulted in over two dozen fatalities and thousands of injuries.
