The Israeli Shin Bet announced Jan. 3 the dismantling and arrest of an espionage cell working for Iran in the West Bank city of Hebron. The cell’s leader, Muhammed Maharma from Hebron, was paid $8,000 by Iran to recruit suicide bombers and gunmen to carry out attacks against Israelis, according to the Shin Bet.
Consequently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an official statement published by Haaretz on the same day that Iran was trying to harm Israel by organizing terrorist activities.