Classified leaks by detained Netanyahu aide may have undermined hostage operations
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference on June 8, 2024 in Ramat Gan, Israel. Photo: Jack Guez -Pool/Getty Images
An aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is among the suspects arrested for an alleged security breach involving "classified and sensitive" intelligence taken illegally from Israeli Defense Forces, an Israeli judge said on Sunday.
Why it matters: The arrests of four suspects, including Netanyahu spokesperson Eli Feldstein, are at the center of what is likely to be the biggest scandal inside the Israeli government since the beginning of the war in Gaza.
- The alleged leak of top secret information could have caused "significant damage" to efforts to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, the judge said.
The big question: whether Netanyahu knew or was involved in the leaks, which appear to be intended to influence Israeli public opinion to support Netanyahu's hardline position about a deal to release hostages being held by Hamas and establish a ceasefire in Gaza.
- The episode was under a gag order for several days until a judge release some details on Friday.
Driving the news: Israeli officials said that a few weeks ago the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asked the Shin Bet, Israel's domestic intelligence agency, to open an investigation after a top secret raw intelligence report was leaked to the German tabloid, Bild.
- The Bild published a story in early September that referred to a document that was allegedly drafted by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and contained Hamas' strategy about the hostage and ceasefire deal negotiations.
- A joint investigation by the Shin Bet, the Israeli police and the IDF has led to the arrest of several suspects.
- The investigation focused on a "concern of a security breach due to the unlawful provision of classified information" that has put at risk "sensitive information and intelligence sources, as well as harmed the efforts of achieving the goals of the war in the Gaza Strip," according to information the judge released for publication on Friday.
- Four suspects, including Feldstein and some members of the security establishment, have been arrested and interrogated so far, the judge said on Sunday.
What they're saying: Netanyahu denied his office was involved. "No one from the Prime Minister's Office was questioned or arrested," he said in a statement.
- He added that there was no leak from the Prime Minister's Office and accused other government bodies, which he didn't name, of leaking classified information.
- "Nobody else was questioned. I wonder why," Netanyahu said.
Yes, but: Israeli officials say one of the suspects is Netanyahu's closest aides.
- The Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported the aide, who worked closely with Netanyahu since the beginning of the war, participated in sensitive security meetings and was exposed to highly classified information even though he failed has security background check.
- As a result, he didn't have the security clearance needed to work at the Prime Minister's Office and wasn't officially hired by the office.
- At the same time, he actively advised Netanyahu.
Between the lines: The scandal will likely deepen the mistrust and tension between Netanyahu and the IDF and intelligence services, which has been growing since the security failures around the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
- It also comes as Netanyahu battles Israel's legal system and the attorney general. In just a few weeks the prime minister is expected to take the stand for the first time in his corruption trial.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with more details about the investigation.
