Shin Bet
The Shin Bet (formally the Israel Security Agency, also known as Shabak) is Israel's internal security and counterintelligence service. It is responsible for counterterrorism inside Israel and the territories, counter-espionage, and the protection of senior officials and sensitive installations.
Overview
The Israel Security Agency — universally known by its Hebrew acronyms Shin Bet or Shabak — is Israel's domestic intelligence and internal security service. Operating under the authority of the Prime Minister's Office, it is distinct from the Mossad (foreign intelligence) and Military Intelligence (Aman). The agency's core mandates include counterterrorism within Israel and Judea and Samaria, counter-espionage, and the protection of senior state officials and critical infrastructure.
Operational Role
In practice, the Shin Bet is the lead interrogation authority for suspects in attacks designated as terrorism. When security forces — IDF, Border Police, or Israel Police — apprehend a suspect in such an incident, the suspect is typically transferred to Shin Bet custody. This transfer signals that the incident is being treated as a national security threat rather than a standard criminal matter. The agency also provides the precise intelligence required for IDF targeted eliminations of senior terror commanders, as seen in recent operations against Hamas Nukhba cell leaders in Gaza.
Current Challenges and Expansion
Under the leadership of Director David Zini, who assumed office in 2026, the Shin Bet is navigating a period of intense multi-front conflict. The agency has recently intensified its focus on Iranian-directed espionage, uncovering multiple plots to recruit Israeli and foreign nationals for intelligence gathering. Furthermore, the agency is undergoing a significant mandate expansion. In July 2026, the Israeli government moved to approve a NIS 500 million budget for the Shin Bet to combat organized crime within Arab society, a shift from its traditional focus on national security to addressing severe domestic criminal threats that undermine state stability. This move has sparked internal debate, with reports of some senior officials threatening resignation over the agency's changing structure and focus.