The Shin Bet security service and Israel Police said Monday that they had arrested a resident of the central city of Rishon LeZion suspected of carrying out surveillance missions under the direction of Iranian intelligence, including photographing near the home of former prime minister Naftali Bennett.

According to a joint statement, the suspect – identified as 30-year-old Lekacho Demsash, who was arrested last month – had been in contact with Iranian handlers in recent months and was asked to carry out a series of tasks in exchange for money.

Investigators said the assignments began with simple missions and later escalated to photographing locations in his home city and elsewhere, including near Bennett’s residence.

Security officials assessed that the activity was part of Iranian intelligence-gathering efforts aimed at facilitating an attack on the former prime minister, noting similarities to a

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