Israeli authorities have revealed that a 24-year-old Israeli man charged with aiding the enemy was directly involved in a plot to assassinate Defense Minister Yisrael Katz. According to explosive new details aired by Channel 12, Roy Mizrachi allegedly planted powerful explosives near Katz’s home in Kfar Achim as part of an Iranian-directed conspiracy. The bombs were reportedly intended to detonate as Katz passed by, with sources suggesting the plot was perilously close to being carried out. Although the report did not specify how near the explosives were to the minister’s home, or whether they were primed to explode, officials confirmed Mizrachi had advanced the scheme well beyond mere surveillance. Prosecutors say Mizrahi acted “knowingly and deliberately” for Iran at a time of war. Mizrachi’s alleged espionage activities began after he was recruited via a Telegram channel by an Iranian handler using the alias “Alex.” Together with a friend, 24-year-old Almog Atias, Mizrahi reportedly filmed sensitive sites including the Shin Bet security agency headquarters and the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv. The pair also attempted to place surveillance cameras in Katz’s hometown but aborted after noticing a police vehicle nearby. Their mission, however, did not stop there. Investigators say Mizrachi was later approached by another Iranian agent, “Getz,” who instructed him to plant explosives near Katz’s residence. Mizrachi picked up a blue bag containing the devices and placed it in the vicinity of the defense minister’s home. Astonishingly, he allegedly kept a brick of the explosive at his own home as well. The suspect, who was paid in cryptocurrency, also turned down a separate $1 million offer to assassinate a scientist at the Weizmann Institute, reportedly because the Iranians refused to pay half the sum upfront. Mizrachi’s attorney described his client as a naive young man who “caused no actual harm,” but security officials reject that portrayal. Investigators assert he was fully aware he was working under Iranian direction and carried out several missions in coordination with Tehran. The new revelations come against the backdrop of a dramatic rise in Iranian espionage operations on Israeli soil. Authorities have reported a disturbing trend of local recruits being used to gather intelligence and even lay the groundwork for attacks on senior public figures. During the recent 12-day war with Iran, Superintendent Maor Goren told Channel 12, multiple Israeli targets were bombed based on footage gathered by domestic spies working for Tehran. Just last week, three more Israelis were arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran — including one alleged to have tracked the future daughter-in-law of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and another believed to have photographed military bases and senior officials’ homes. In May, prosecutors charged 18-year-old Moshe Attias of Yavne with gathering intelligence on former prime minister Naftali Bennett while he was hospitalized. Earlier this year, two IDF reservists — Yuri Eliasfov and Georgi Andreyev, both 21 — were arrested for allegedly leaking details about the Iron Dome missile defense system to Iran in exchange for payments as low as $50. Israeli intelligence officials warn the arrests are only the tip of the iceberg in what they say is a sophisticated, ongoing Iranian effort to destabilize the country from within. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)