Israel says busts Iran-backed cell attempting to assassinate far-right minister

Itamar Ben-Gvir

JERUSALEM, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Israeli authorities said on Wednesday that they have arrested five members of an Iran-backed cell who attempted to assassinate Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency said in a press release that the five suspects, including three Palestinians and two Arab-Israeli citizens, are in custody.

The five suspects acted "under directions and instructions" of an Iranian agent who lived in Jordan, according to the Shin Bet.

They carried out several attacks against Israeli property, including the torching of cars in the coastal city of Haifa in June and assisted in smuggling weapons into Israel, it added.

They also collected information about the security arrangements surrounding Ben-Gvir and Yehuda Glick, a former lawmaker and ultranationalist settler leader.

The five suspects have been indicted by the Haifa District Attorney and face a series of security charges.