Israeli media: Leak from PM office endangers Israeli captives, troops
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According to Israeli media, the notorious leak from Netanyahu's office has placed the lives of the Israeli occupation forces and the Israeli captives in Gaza at risk.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the opening of the 25th Knesset session in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Monday, October 28, 2024. (AP)
Israeli media sources have reported on the serious security breach involving the leak of sensitive documents from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the Kan public broadcaster, an insider familiar with the investigation revealed that the leaked documents compromised operations aimed at retrieving Israeli captives, putting the lives of soldiers at risk.
Yedioth Ahronoth's web portal, Ynet, stated that four individuals arrested in connection with this breach had served in a covert unit tasked with preventing leaks and "safeguarding state secrets." Among the detainees is a reserve officer with the rank of major, as well as Eli Feldstein, the spokesperson for Netanyahu's office.
Amid this unfolding scandal, Netanyahu reportedly sent a message on Monday to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, urging them to "launch an investigation into security leaks during discussions."
Netanyahu expressed concerns that "since the beginning of the war, there have been dangerous leaks and disclosures of Israel's secrets."
Netanyahu further specified that these leaks originated from high-level forums, including the Political-Security Cabinet, the War Cabinet, the Prisoners and Missing Persons Directorate, and other restricted security circles, stressing that these leaks emerged from forums lacking political representation.
Prime Minister's office leaks
Two days prior, Channel 13 broke news of the case, indicating that Netanyahu's office staff were suspected of leaking sensitive documents related to security and political affairs. Israeli judiciary sources confirmed that an investigation was initiated into the leaks, which potentially compromised "Israel's" wartime plans.
While several suspects have been detained for questioning, Netanyahu denied that any of his aides had been arrested, as reported by The Times of Israel.
According to Israeli media, last week saw the start of a joint investigation by Shin Bet, police, and the military into suspected breaches of national security due to illegal information leaks.
The report also indicates that suspects selectively leaked and distorted documents obtained by Israeli forces on Hamas' prisoner negotiation strategies. These leaks led to articles in the German newspaper Bild and the British The Jewish Chronicle, which highlighted Hamas' approach—a strategy closely resembling statements made by Netanyahu in prior interviews and press briefings.
The Jewish Chronicle later withdrew a series of articles based on the documents and ended its collaboration with the author amid significant concerns about the authenticity of his reporting.
According to the IOF, the document cited by Bild was discovered in Gaza months prior and was not authored by martyred Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar but rather appeared to be a strategic paper drawn up by a mid-level Hamas official.
Mounting criticism
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said Sunday that Netanyahu's actions throughout the recent leak indicate he is either too incompetent to lead during wartime or is "complicit in one of the most serious security offenses."
Lapid declared in a press conference with Benny Gantz immediately after the Rishon Letzion Magistrates Court removed a gag order on naming Eliezer Feldstein, the main suspect in an alleged leak, that “Netanyahu’s defense is that he has no influence or control over the system he heads. If that’s true, he’s ineligible. He is not qualified to lead the State of Israel in the most difficult war in its history."
"This case came out of the prime minister’s office, and the investigation should check if it was not on the prime minister’s orders. If Netanyahu knew, he is complicit in one of the most serious security offenses in the law book,” Lapid stated.
According to the opposition leader, if Netanyahu had no clue his aides were "stealing documents, operating spies within the IDF, forging documents, exposing intelligence sources and passing secret documents to foreign newspapers" to stop a captive agreement, then what was he aware of?
Israeli media have indicated that investigators are examining four distinct aspects of the case: the leak of classified documents, granting an advisor without security clearance access to restricted meetings and offices, mishandling of classified materials, and utilizing these documents to sway public opinion regarding a captives agreement.
