An Israeli soldier has been indicted on charges of passing information to the enemy and contacting a foreign agent after allegedly carrying out assignments for Iranian intelligence operatives in exchange for cryptocurrency payments, Israeli authorities said on Thursday. In a joint statement, the Shin Bet, Israel Police and Israel Defense Forces said the soldier was arrested in September following a joint investigation. Military prosecutors filed the indictment on Thursday, and a military court extended his detention until November 12, 2026.

Source: Bytes Europe (authorities' joint statement)

Investigators found that the soldier maintained contact with Iranian operatives for approximately a year, sharing sensitive information about his unit's military activities and IDF alert levels and call-ups. This allegedly included details of his own call-up at the outbreak of the war referred to in the statement as 'Roaring Lion'.

Authorities said the soldier knew his handler was Iranian and received payments through cryptocurrency wallets at the handler's direction. The amount paid has not been disclosed. The soldier allegedly provided information about military bases and their coordinates, and photographed interceptors, military vehicles and American refuelling aircraft stationed at an airfield in Israel.

Investigators also said he passed along details about fellow soldiers and commanders, knowing his handler would seek to recruit them for espionage. He allegedly shared a Telegram group intended for Israelis preparing to enlist, which the handler subsequently joined — a route investigators say the operative used to make contact with potential recruits.

The handler instructed the soldier to install malicious communication applications for encrypted conversations and suggested that he purchase a basic mobile phone and a handgun, authorities said. The two also allegedly agreed on coded communications and a cover story in case security forces discovered their activities. The soldier was also offered $200,000 to travel to Iran, authorities said. The statement did not say whether the soldier acted on any of those proposals.

Source: JFeed

The details in the indictment are allegations by military prosecutors, based on the joint Shin Bet, police and military investigation, and the case is now before a military court. The soldier has not been named in the reports, and no verdict has been delivered. The Times of Israel reported the indictment on Thursday, citing Israeli security authorities, and i24NEWS reported the detention extension to November 12.

Source: Times of Israel via Hatha Alyoum / Anadolu