By Patrick Lancier
Jerusalem — On 18 September 2026, Israel National News reported two separate Shin Bet-led cases in which Israeli citizens were accused of contacting enemy handlers — Hamas and Iranian intelligence in one file, a Lebanese foreign agent in the other. The pattern is defensive work against aggressors: Hamas, Iran and Lebanese networks try to recruit inside Israel; the Shin Bet and police cut the contact before missions land.
Tamra: Sultan Abu al-Hija — Hamas Qassam and Iranian intelligence
Sultan Abu al-Hija, 31, a resident of Tamra, faces a security indictment in the Haifa District Court after a joint investigation by the Shin Bet and the Israel Police Northern District Central Unit. He was arrested late last month in a joint Shin Bet and Northern District operation, with Northern National Guard Border Police officers carrying out the arrest.
According to the joint Shin Bet–Police statement reported by Israel National News, Abu al-Hija contacted Hamas’s Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza several times, seeking to assist the terrorist organization in secret. The probe also found that he established contact with Iranian intelligence operatives. He was arrested before he could carry out any missions on their behalf.
Majd al-Krum: Hamdan Hamdan — Lebanese foreign agent
Hamdan Hamdan, 32, a resident of Majd al-Krum, was recently arrested on suspicion of contact with a foreign agent from Lebanon and of carrying out security-related missions at her direction. The arrest was a joint operation by Lahav 433 — the Israel Police national unit for international crime — and the Shin Bet.
The investigation found that Hamdan had knowingly stayed in contact with the Lebanese agent for several months and had been asked to run security missions. Attempts were made to compensate him by having the foreign operative buy products in Israel and transfer them to him. The Coastal District Prosecutor’s Office was involved; an indictment was expected on Sunday.
Official warning: enemy states recruit Israelis online
After the Majd al-Krum case, police and the Shin Bet warned Israeli citizens and residents against contact with foreign operatives from enemy states or with unidentified individuals — and especially against carrying out missions for pay or any other reason. Security officials noted that intelligence and terrorist elements from enemy states keep trying to recruit and run Israelis for espionage and terrorism, including through outreach on social media. Hamas, Iran and Hezbollah’s Lebanese orbit are the aggressors; Israel’s security services are the line that stops the pitch from becoming an attack.
Bottom line: On 18 September 2026, Israel National News reported twin Shin Bet cases: a Tamra resident charged over Hamas and Iranian intelligence contacts, and a Majd al-Krum resident arrested over months of contact with a Lebanese foreign agent.
FAQ
Who is Sultan Abu al-Hija and what is he charged with?
A 31-year-old Tamra resident. Shin Bet and Northern Police say he repeatedly contacted Hamas’s Qassam Brigades seeking to assist them, and contacted Iranian intelligence; he was arrested before missions. An indictment was to be filed in Haifa District Court.
Who is Hamdan Hamdan and what is the Lebanese-agent case?
A 32-year-old Majd al-Krum resident arrested by Lahav 433 and the Shin Bet. He knowingly contacted a Lebanese foreign agent for months, was asked to carry out security missions, and was to be compensated via goods bought in Israel. An indictment was expected Sunday (Coastal District).
When were these cases reported?
Israel National News published both stories on 18 September 2026 — the Tamra/Hamas–Iran case in the morning and the Majd al-Krum/Lebanese-agent case in the afternoon.
What warning did Shin Bet and police issue?
They warned Israelis not to contact foreign operatives from enemy states or unidentified individuals, and not to run missions for them. Enemy intelligence and terror elements continue to recruit Israelis, including via social media.
Sources
- Israel National News — Israeli accused of contacting Hamas, Iranian intelligence (Uzi Baruch, 18 Sept. 2026)
- Israel National News — Israeli arrested over suspected contact with Lebanese agent (Uzi Baruch, 18 Sept. 2026)