The Israeli government was thrown into turmoil this week as an investigation into alleged leaks of classified intelligence involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle came to light. The scandal centers on accusations that information tied to ongoing cease-fire and hostage negotiations with Hamas in Gaza was improperly leaked, potentially compromising efforts to secure the release of Israeli captives.
The controversy intensified on Sunday when an Israeli court partially lifted a gag order on the case, revealing that one of Netanyahu's media advisers, Eliezer Feldstein, is a primary suspect in the probe. Israeli security agencies, including the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet, are investigating claims that classified intelligence was improperly taken from IDF systems, with suspected leaks surfacing in articles by international media outlets. According to court documents, these actions may have "seriously harmed state security and endangered intelligence sources" while possibly impeding negotiations to free hostages held by Hamas.
One report published by the Jewish Chronicle suggested Hamas planned to move hostages out of Gaza into Egypt, while another from Germany's Bild speculated that Hamas was prolonging negotiations as a psychological tactic. Both articles have come under intense scrutiny, with many Israelis questioning the timing and intentions behind the leaks. Critics, including opposition leaders and families of hostages, accuse Netanyahu's government of politicizing intelligence to bolster his stance against a cease-fire and divert public scrutiny amid rising pressure to secure a hostage release.
"There was something very fishy about them. Also, about the timing of everything," Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst on Israel for Crisis Group, told NBC News, highlighting widespread skepticism about the leaks' veracity and motivation.
The leaked intelligence comes amid intense pressure on Netanyahu's government. The prime minister has publicly demanded Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor, the narrow strip along Gaza's border with Egypt, as a condition in cease-fire talks. This demand has become a significant sticking point, stalling negotiations and intensifying criticism over his handling of the hostage crisis. Protests have swelled as thousands of Israelis, including families of hostages, demand a resolution to free captives held by Hamas.
One of the most vocal critics, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son Sagui was taken hostage on October 7, expressed his frustration over the alleged leak and the government's response. "I feel utterly betrayed, not just as a hostage father but as an Israeli citizen," he said, adding that the allegations, if proven, represent another failure in a "long series" of perceived inactions by Netanyahu's administration.
Following the court's partial lifting of the gag order, a spokesperson for Netanyahu's office issued a statement denying any knowledge or involvement in the suspected leaks. The spokesperson asserted that Feldstein, the aide implicated, had "never participated in security discussions, was not exposed to classified information, and did not take part in secret visits." However, political opponents and critics were quick to counter these claims, demanding accountability at the highest levels of government.
Benny Gantz, former defense minister and a member of Netanyahu's now-dissolved wartime Cabinet, described the potential leak as "not just a criminal offense; it's a national crime." He further emphasized that if sensitive intelligence was exploited for political maneuvering, it would have grave consequences for the state's security.
Yair Lapid, Israel's opposition leader, went a step further, suggesting the prime minister's office might have intentionally orchestrated the leak. "If Netanyahu didn't know that his close aides were stealing documents, planting spies within the IDF, forging documents, exposing intelligence sources, and passing classified documents to the foreign press to stop the hostage deal-what does he know?" Lapid remarked on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
The scandal has led to a polarized response across Israel. Families of hostages, represented by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, released a statement expressing "outrage and deep concern" over the potential actions of Netanyahu's team. They claimed the suspicions suggest the government prioritized political advantage over the lives of Israeli citizens held captive in Gaza.
In recent weeks, Netanyahu's leadership has come under increasing scrutiny from both within and outside his government. Reports allege that, in past negotiations with Hamas, Netanyahu has introduced last-minute demands that ultimately derailed agreements, a claim he denies. The prime minister also faced backlash earlier in the year when six hostages, whose release was reportedly imminent, were killed in Hamas captivity. In response, Netanyahu held a press conference at which he presented what he claimed was a Hamas document found in Gaza, purporting to show Hamas's strategy of dividing Israeli society to manipulate the government.
This press conference came just days before the Jewish Chronicle published an article suggesting that Hamas was planning to smuggle Israeli hostages out of Gaza through Egypt, echoing claims made by Netanyahu. The Chronicle article has since been removed following public criticism, but Netanyahu's office denies involvement, calling the allegations "ridiculous."
As protests grow, the investigation has turned into a flashpoint in Israel's polarized political climate, with both the public and political leaders demanding answers. "It is suspected that Netanyahu's team published secret documents and faked secret documents to torpedo the possibility of a hostage deal," Lapid claimed, adding that an inquiry should determine whether the leaks came directly from the Prime Minister's Office.
