JERUSALEM — A former head of Israel’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, and his wife were evacuated from the United Arab Emirates after Israeli authorities received information about a potential Iranian threat against them, Israeli media reported on Monday, citing security sources.
Israeli officials did not immediately provide public details about the reported operation, and details surrounding the nature of the threat remain unclear. Neither the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office nor Shin Bet issued a detailed public statement on the matter.
According to Israeli media reports, the evacuation was carried out after security agencies assessed that the former security chief could be at risk while in the UAE amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran. The reports said the individual and his wife were returned to Israel under security arrangements.
The reported evacuation comes amid a period of increased concern in Israel over Iranian efforts to target Israeli officials and interests abroad. Earlier this year, Israeli media reported that security authorities had disrupted alleged Iranian plots targeting Israeli diplomats in the UAE. Iranian officials have not publicly commented on the latest reports concerning the former Shin Bet chief.
Israel and the UAE established formal relations under the 2020 Abraham Accords and have since expanded cooperation in security, trade and technology. During the escalation between Israel and Iran in 2026, Israeli officials and security chiefs were reported by several media outlets to have made visits to the UAE, underscoring the strategic importance of ties between the two countries.
The Shin Bet, formally known as the Israel Security Agency, is responsible for domestic security, counterterrorism operations and the protection of senior officials. The agency has repeatedly warned of what it says are Iranian attempts to recruit operatives and gather intelligence against Israeli targets. Iran has rejected similar accusations in the past.
A spokesperson for Shin Bet previously said regarding reports on the movements of the agency’s leadership, “We do not comment on the schedules of the service chief.”
As of Monday, Israeli authorities had not announced any arrests connected to the reported threat, and no injuries were reported. The former security chief and his wife were reported to be safely back in Israel, while officials continued to monitor potential threats against Israeli nationals overseas.
