Israeli Arab accused of spying for Hezbollah

Israeli authorities on Thursday indicted an Arab citizen of Israel on charges of spying for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, accusing him of gathering intelligence on security for Israel's president and on army installations.                         

The Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency said in a statement that Milad Khatib, 26, from the northern village of Majd al-Krum, was recruited in 2009 by a Lebanese Hezbollah operative in Denmark. He was ordered to collect information on Israeli army bases and armories, as well as details on security guards and motorcades of the Israeli president and other public officials.                       

In August, Khatib allegedly shadowed a visit by Peres to his home town, collecting information on his security detail. Authorities say he intended to pass the details to his Hezbollah operator but was arrested before he could do so. It was unclear what information, if any, he supplied Hezbollah.                    

Peres' office did not respond to a message seeking comment.                      

Israel believes Hezbollah possesses more than 40,000 rockets and missiles capable of striking virtually anywhere in Israel.                    

Hezbollah has developed into a key political force in Lebanon, holding the balance of power in the country's Cabinet.                     

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Khatib first made connection with Hezbollah in 2007 in a series of meetings in Denmark, Morocco and Lebanon, and he conducted a second series of meetings in Turkey and Denmark in 2009 and 2010.

AP