Israel Police

By Pesach Benson • January 5, 2026

Jerusalem, 5 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli authorities have arrested and indicted a Rishon Lezion resident on suspicion of carrying out intelligence-gathering missions for Iranian operatives, including photographing near the home of former prime minister Naftali Bennett, it was cleared for publication on Monday.

According to the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and the israel police, the suspect, Lachao Damsash, was in contact with Iranian intelligence elements and carried out a range of tasks at their direction in exchange for payment. The money was allegedly transferred through digital wallets on the Binance trading platform. Damash was arrested in December.

The investigation found that Damsash was identified after photographing near Bennett’s residence. Damash later told authorities that his handler had instructed him to purchase a road camera, an old mobile phone, and a SIM card to maintain contact. The camera was installed in his vehicle in a way that allowed remote access and live video transmission using a username and password. After parking near Bennett’s home on December 3, security guards approached Damsash, prompting him to flee the scene. He was arrested about a week later.

Prosecutors allege that the defendant also documented a street in Herzliya for several hours using the car-mounted camera. Additional filming missions were allegedly carried out in Yavne and Petah Tikva. He is also accused of traveling to shopping malls in Rishon Lezion and Ashdod, filming his routes, and sending the footage to his handler for payment.

Other tasks included purchasing cigarettes and drinks at kiosks in various cities and sending receipts to the foreign agent. According to the indictment, Damsash continued to act on the agent’s instructions despite suspecting their nature.

Security officials said the case resembles a previously disclosed investigation involving Vadim Kupriyanov, who was also accused of photographing near Bennett’s home and was later indicted on serious espionage charges.

More than 30 Israelis have been charged with espionage on behalf of Iran in 2025.

Israeli Police spokesperson Dean Elsdunne told The Press Service of Israel in July that after agents make contact with an Israeli, “It starts out slowly, with small jobs, and slowly the money increases, and they are asked to do more severe crimes as time goes on.”

Israel launched preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear sites on June 13, citing intelligence that Tehran had reached “a point of no return” in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Israeli intelligence also exposed a covert program to complete all components of a nuclear device. During 12 days of fighting, Iranian missile strikes killed 28 Israelis and injured over 3,000.

By Pesach Benson • December 25, 2025

Jerusalem, 25 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israeli security forces have arrested a resident of rishon lezion on suspicion of carrying out espionage-related activities at the direction of Iranian intelligence, including surveillance of former prime minister Naftali Bennett’s home, the Shin Bet and Israel Police said on Thursday.

The suspect, Vadim Kupriyanov, an Israeli citizen in his early 40s, was detained in December 2025. Investigators allege that Kupriyanov maintained contact with Iranian intelligence operatives and carried out a series of security-related missions over the past two months in exchange for payment.

According to the statement, Kupriyanov was identified after he photographed areas near the private residence of former prime minister Naftali Bennett. As part of his contact with Iranian handlers, he was also instructed to purchase a vehicle-mounted camera intended to facilitate the surveillance activity.

During his interrogation, authorities said, Kupriyanov admitted to performing multiple photography missions at the request of his operators. He allegedly transferred images taken in his city of residence and in other locations across Israel, receiving various sums of money in return. Security officials did not disclose the total amount he was paid or whether additional targets were involved.

An indictment is scheduled to be filed later on Thursday in the Lod District Court.

More than 30 Israelis have been charged with espionage on behalf of Iran in 2025.

Israeli Police spokesperson Dean Elsdunne told The Press Service of Israel in July that after agents make contact with an Israeli, “It starts out slowly, with small jobs, and slowly the money increases, and they are asked to do more severe crimes as time goes on.”

Israel launched preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear sites on June 13, citing intelligence that Tehran had reached “a point of no return” in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Israeli intelligence also exposed a covert program to complete all components of a nuclear device. During 12 days of fighting, Iranian missile strikes killed 28 Israelis and injured over 3,000.

By Pesach Benson • December 17, 2025

Jerusalem, 17 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Two residents of northern Israel were arrested for suspected involvement in the Islamic State terror group, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Police announced on Wednesday.

Arrested in recent weeks was 20-year-old Kinan Azaiza of the Nazareth-area town of Daburiyya and a second resident of Akko.

According to the authorities, both suspects were believed to have been in contact with foreign ISIS operatives and were preparing to travel illegally abroad for terrorist training. Authorities said the individuals had taken steps to carry out security-related activities on behalf of the organization.

During questioning, investigators determined that Azaiza had sworn allegiance to ISIS, expressed willingness to conduct security operations, and had considered targeting Israeli soldiers. He also reportedly communicated with foreign ISIS elements, learned to manufacture explosives, and planned to travel overseas for further training.

Officials noted that the arrests come amid an increased threat from ISIS supporters in Israel and a rise in involvement by Israeli Arabs in terrorism, particularly in the context of the ongoing war.

Following the investigation, the Northern District Attorney’s Office will submit an indictment against Azaiza to the Nazareth District Court.