JERUSALEM, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israeli security forces said on Sunday they have arrested an Israeli man accused of gathering intelligence for Iran, including by exploiting information from his partner, a reservist at an air force base.

The Shin Bet internal security agency and Israeli police said in a joint statement that the suspect, 27-year-old Shimon Azarzar from Kiryat Yam near Haifa, "maintained direct contact with Iranian intelligence handlers" for more than a year and carried out tasks at their request.

Investigators said Azarzar sent photographs and coordinates of sensitive security sites inside Israel and offered additional information from Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bases. He reportedly drew on details from his partner's military service, including air force operations and base locations. The statement said he was paid for his activities via digital payment methods.

An indictment was filed against Azarzar on Sunday following the conclusion of the investigation, the Shin Bet said. Since the start of the Gaza war in 2023, the Shin Bet has uncovered more than 20 such espionage cases. Enditem