Nazareth woman charged with spying for Iran after photographing sensitive Haifa refineries and military bases

Nazareth resident Shomua Abu Abed faces security charges for allegedly filming Haifa refineries and IDF bases for Iranian handlers in exchange for crypto.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Israel Hayom

The Discovery of Clandestine Security Breaches

A joint counter-intelligence operation conducted by the Shin Bet security agency and the Northern District Central Unit of the Israel Police culminated in the arrest of Shomua Abu Abed, an Israeli citizen from Nazareth. According to officials, Abu Abed was detained in March after an investigation revealed she had been maintaining consistent contact with a foreign agent operating on behalf of an enemy state. The suspect is accused of carrying out specific reconnaissance assignments designed to gather actionable intelligence on strategic Israeli assets. Investigators determined that she continued these activities despite harboring early suspicions that her handler was an Iranian operative, prioritizing financial gain over national security.

Strategic Surveillance of Critical Infrastructure

The scope of the alleged espionage included the systematic documentation of high-value targets, most notably the oil refineries in Haifa and various Israel Defense Forces (IDF) installations. According to the indictment filed in the Nazareth District Court, Abu Abed utilized mobile photography to capture sensitive imagery of these sites, which was then transmitted to her handlers. The Haifa refineries are considered critical national infrastructure, and their surveillance by a foreign agent represents a significant threat to Israel's domestic energy security and regional stability. This surveillance took place during a period of heightened regional tension, characterized by direct military confrontations between Israel and Iran.

Targeting of Security Establishment Personnel

Beyond physical infrastructure, the investigation revealed that Abu Abed was tasked with gathering intelligence on specific individuals within the Israeli defense establishment. She is suspected of passing detailed information regarding a former member of the security services, an act that places former officials at increased risk of targeted foreign operations. According to security officials, the recruitment of Israeli citizens to track their own countrymen reflects a shift in Iranian intelligence tactics, moving toward more localized and personal intelligence gathering. The suspect allegedly utilized her mobility within the country to monitor and report on the movements and backgrounds of these high-profile figures.