Inside Israel's new prison wing for Iranian spies

“This is a war for sovereignty and we’re part of it—even if it’s happening behind bars,” said Deputy Commissioner Zohar Tsarfati, the prison’s commander, in an interview with Ynet.

The suspects have been placed in an isolated wing, known as Wing 21, under exceptionally strict conditions in one of the prison’s most secure compounds. Until recently, these individuals were scattered across various prisons nationwide, but their increasing numbers, the sensitivity of intelligence concerns and the fear of sensitive information leaks prompted the creation of this separate wing.

Here, detainees are held under constant surveillance, with cameras installed inside their cells. A specially vetted, non-rotating staff oversees them and the compound is surrounded by a high fence. No visits or phone calls are permitted, ensuring maximum compartmentalization.

A large sign hangs in the wing’s courtyard: an image of a bombed Iran with the caption “New Iran,” a practice reminiscent of security wings holding Palestinian terrorists, where images of destruction in Gaza are displayed. The detainees spend much of their time writing petitions to the courts, primarily to improve their detention conditions.

Initially, their conditions mirrored those of Palestinian prisoners, but recent court rulings, including some from the Central District Court, have granted certain requests for better treatment.

The IPS recognizes this is not a series of isolated incidents but an expanding phenomenon requiring a distinct response to an unusual internal threat. “We’re dealing with a completely different population from anything we’ve known before,” Tsarfati explained.

“These aren’t terrorists from the West Bank—these are Israeli citizens, born and raised here, some of whom led normal lives but chose to switch sides. Some have admitted to ties with Iranian intelligence; others have already passed information. To me, they’re spies in every sense.”

Unlike other security wings, Tsarfati noted, these detainees are sophisticated and understand the system well. “They’re intelligent, manipulative and know how to operate under the radar,” he said. “We’ve found hidden items on some of them. They know how to conceal and maneuver, which requires us to maintain constant vigilance, even when they’re in their cells and things seem quiet.”

Tsarfati described the small, enclosed wing: “It’s highly isolated, surrounded by iron fences, with cameras in the cells. The permanent staff consists of wardens who underwent special security vetting and don’t rotate to maintain maximum secrecy. No visits, no phone calls and letters are delivered only after inspection. It’s run like an elite unit, requiring silence, restraint and the highest level of professionalism.”

Dealing with these prisoners is challenging, the IPS says. “It’s not easy to look them in the eye,” Tsarfati shared. “They speak like you, they don’t look different, but you know they chose to act against you. It demands mental resilience. The staff must stay focused, not get emotional, and remain professional at all times.”

“A warden facing them in those moments struggled to continue serving in the wing. Looking into the eyes of people accused of passing information to the enemy while missiles were fired here—it’s an incredibly tough situation.”

The reality has changed and the IPS is adapting. “We’re not just securing—we’re a line of defense,” Tsarfati said. “When the threat comes from within, the responsibility is even greater. This is a war for sovereignty, and we’re part of it, even if it’s behind bars.”

A 20-year-old female warden, identified only as L., works in this special wing and faces one of the IPS’s most complex populations. “It’s a very challenging group,” she shared. “These aren’t like anyone we’ve dealt with before. Every interaction requires thinking three times, separating emotions and showing no weakness.

“They look like me, talk like me, some live near my home, yet they act against our country. You wonder how this happened.” She emphasized the need for resolve: “You have to treat them firmly, not react to provocations, and stay calm. We treat them like Palestinian prisoners.

“In the wing with female terrorists, where I also serve, the challenge is different—it’s a sensitive population where a small incident can escalate into a diplomatic crisis. Some of those terrorists arrived after October 7, and I have friends injured in Gaza, so it’s not easy. But even when emotions run high, we must stay professional.”

During the conflict with Iran, L. noted, the detainees’ motivations seemed more complex than mere greed. “I worked during the Iranian missile attacks—it was intense,” she said. “Some expressed joy over the strikes, showing that for some, it wasn’t just about money. They don’t know what Israel did in Iran, but I do—and that’s a huge difference.”

Amoyal has filed numerous petitions to improve his conditions, some of which were granted by the Central District Court, which ruled that his conditions “significantly exceed what is permissible” and ordered improvements, including additional food and three daily cigarettes, deemed a basic need.

The IPS has responded to the growing number of petitions and exceptional accommodations by creating a new legal category: “special prisoners.” Signed by IPS chief Commissioner Kobi Yakobi, this designation distinguishes these suspects from traditional security or criminal prisoners, with a specific set of restrictions.

No phone calls are allowed, visits require security approval and letters are subject to inspection. Families can deposit up to 500 shekels ($130) monthly for the canteen and detainees may keep up to six books after content review, along with board games for leisure.

He demands a reasonably sized table and chairs with backrests for “civilized sitting and eating.” Amoyal claimed his conditions since last November are “unlike any prison in the world,” with no TV, calls or visits, and “horrible” food.

The new legal definition, shaped by court rulings recognizing the need to distinguish these detainees from Palestinian prisoners, led to a revised incarceration policy. The IPS established a dedicated canteen list, revealed here for the first time, including crackers, sports shoes, socks, honey, sausage, sweet biscuits, wafers, chocolate cakes, cornflakes and coffee.