Jerusalem, Dec 25 (LatestNewsX): Israeli authorities have taken into custody a local man on allegations that he was spying on behalf of Iran, according to an official statement released by the Israel Police on Thursday.
The individual has been identified as 40-year-old Vadim Kuprianov, a resident of the central Israeli city of Rishon LeZion. Police said he was arrested by a specialized unit working jointly with the Shin Bet domestic security agency.
Investigators allege that Kuprianov was seen photographing sensitive locations, including areas near the residence of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Police claim these actions were carried out following directions from Iranian contacts, who reportedly asked him to obtain a vehicle-mounted camera for surveillance purposes, Xinhua news agency reported.
Authorities further stated that over the last two months, Kuprianov is believed to have completed several assignments linked to national security, sharing images of sites across different cities with his handlers in return for financial compensation.
Police confirmed that formal charges are expected to be filed against him in a central district court once the investigation is complete.
Separately, the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said an Israeli delegation visited Cairo on Wednesday to hold discussions with mediators regarding the implementation of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The talks mainly centered on efforts to recover the remains of the final Israeli hostage believed to still be in Gaza.
“The meetings focused on efforts and operational details to secure the return of the body of the slain hostage, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili,” the statement said.
The delegation was headed by Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for hostages and missing persons, and included officials from the Israeli military, the Shin Bet domestic security agency, and the Mossad intelligence service.
Since the ceasefire came into force on October 10, Hamas has freed all 20 living hostages and handed over 27 bodies. According to Israeli authorities, Gvili, who served with the Yasam special riot-control unit of the Israel Police, is the only remaining body believed to be held in Gaza.
Hamas and its ally, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, have said they have been unable to locate Gvili’s remains despite conducting searches at several locations in eastern Gaza.
As part of the ceasefire arrangement, Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinians from its prisons and returned the remains of hundreds of deceased Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Israel’s state-run Kan broadcaster reported, citing US officials, that a US-supported peace proposal is expected to enter its second phase in January. This phase would reportedly involve a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the creation of an interim governing body, and the deployment of an international stabilization force.
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