Jerusalem dentist convicted for spying for Hezbollah

A Jerusalem dentist was convicted of spying for Hezbollah and sentenced by the Jerusalem District Court to five years in prison as part of a plea deal, the Justice Ministry said on Monday.

Jerusalem resident Ahmad Zahra had reached out to a released terrorist living in Lebanon and sought to work for Hezbollah.

Zahra had delivered to the Lebanese terrorist organization updates on Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as reports on routines of senior police and IDF officers.

The dentist was eager to join the group, but according to the court had suggested multiple ideas that Hezbollah wasn't interested in, such as shooting fireworks at security vehicles.  He had requested a physical fitness program and intelligence course to help him be better suited to complete his tasks.

After several years, the terrorist operative was recieved funds and a cell phone with encrypted messaging software in Turkey during his honeymoon. He attempted to make further contact with Hezbollah, but was arrested. The funds were confiscated by the authorities.

How was the dentist able to move freely throughout the nation?

Zahra's Israeli identity card gave him the ability to move around the country, said the Jerusalem District Attorney's office.

While the reports and updates weren't of high value, it was "information that the Hezbollah members requested, so it is presumed that the information was required," said the Attorney's Office.

On April 17, the Shin Bet had announced that it had arrested and filed indictments against two Palestinian West Bank residents after they had been recruited to conduct operations on behalf of Hezbollah and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force.