The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) is the Jewish state's primary internal security service, focusing primarily on internal security, exposing terrorist rings, and intelligence efforts in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Also known as the Shabak, it makes up one of the three arms of Israel's intelligence community, alongside the Mossad (foreign intelligence) and Aman (military intelligence).
Like the Mossad, despite being a security agency, the Shin Bet does not operate under the Defense Ministry and instead answers to the prime minister.
The current head of the Shin Bet is Ronen Bar, appointed in 2021 by then-prime minister Naftali Bennett.
The focus of our security forces has rightfully been on the survival of the Jewish state, as the country has fought enemies on seven fronts. But the enemy from within needs to be addressed now.
The main challenge for the IDF in the West Bank is whether it's maintaining peace by preventing Israeli extremist attacks on Palestinians, or if the terror threat has just been hidden.
So far, removing administrative detention of Jews only has made things worse, as predicted by the Shin Bet.
He also said that Israel's recent military success opened up broader regional opportunities, stressing the importance of Shin Bet’s role in these efforts.
Over 60 terrorists organized into 10 terror cells were arrested by security forces, with most being released prisoners.
In Jenin in the northern West Bank, forces arrested an arms dealer and another man who was with him, the agencies said.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich took to X/Twitter to express their condolences.
Then-Shin Bet head Ronen Bar’s resignation came into effect on June 15, enabling Netanyahu to appoint Bar’s deputy, known as “S”, as interim Shin-Bet head for one month.
Agencies further warned against contact with any foreign agent, obviously including those working for enemy states.
Levinson was killed on October 7, 2023, but his death was only determined in January 2024.
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