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Haifa's "Apartment of Horrors": 10kg of Explosives and a Plot to Assassinate Naftali Bennett Exposed

A massive Iranian terror plot is exposed in Haifa as 22-year-old Ami Gaidarov is indicted for manufacturing 10kg of TATP explosives. The investigation reveals plans to bomb bus stations and assassinate a high-ranking official, including former PM Naftali Bennett, all directed by Iranian intelligence.

Handcuffs
Handcuffs (Photo: Abir Sultan / Flash90)

A severe security breach has been uncovered following the filing of an indictment against 22-year-old Ami Gaidarov. The Haifa District Prosecutor’s Office revealed today that Gaidarov did not merely collect intelligence for Iran, but actively established a functioning terror infrastructure in the heart of a residential neighborhood.

10kg of Explosives Produced in Residential Apartment

The indictment describes a "terror lab" Gaidarov operated within two separate apartments in a single Haifa building. To evade security forces, he moved his operations from the third floor to the first floor, where he manufactured TATP, a highly volatile and lethal explosive, on a daily basis.

By the time of his arrest, Gaidarov reportedly possessed approximately 10 kilograms of ready-to-use explosives. The investigation, supported by reports from i24NEWS, indicates the defendant was fully aware these materials were intended for mass-casualty attacks.

The planned targets included:

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The "Test Run" and Iranian Directives

The severity of the plot was highlighted by footage of Gaidarov and an associate conducting an explosive test in an underground parking lot near his home. The pair placed a device in a plastic cup, ignited it, and fled as the blast produced a massive shockwave.

The operational link between Gaidarov and his Iranian handler began in August 2025. Over several months, he completed numerous security-related tasks in exchange for over 70,000 NIS, paid via untraceable digital wallets.

Espionage and Wartime Sabotage

Beyond bomb-making, Gaidarov was tasked with several high-stakes intelligence missions:

A "Extreme Escalation" in Iranian Recruitment

Security officials from the Shin Bet and the Lahav 433 police unit describe this case as a "significant and extreme escalation" in Iran’s efforts to recruit Israeli citizens for domestic terror and espionage.

Other suspects from northern Israel have also been arrested for assisting Gaidarov in purchasing raw materials and concealing the explosive devices. Authorities emphasize that the cell utilized digital platforms and high financial incentives to lure citizens into high-treason activities.

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