Breaking: Netanyahu Aide Arrested Amid Accusations of Leaking Intelligence to Block Gaza Ceasefire

Israeli police recently detained a senior aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on suspicion of leaking classified information to foreign media outlets. Opposition leaders claim the intelligence involved was “fabricated” to prevent a ceasefire and a hostage release deal in Gaza.

The investigation revolves around claims that Netanyahu’s office promoted a story to foreign media, alleging Hamas planned to move hostages across the Egyptian border, creating divisions within Israel to pressure Netanyahu into a ceasefire and hostage deal. Eliezer Feldstein, reportedly an aide to Netanyahu, is among those being questioned in connection with the unauthorized release of sensitive intelligence, which a court document suggests may have compromised efforts to rescue hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

A spokesperson for Netanyahu denied any leaks from the Prime Minister’s Office, stating that Feldstein had no involvement in security discussions. The office also dismissed claims that these leaks impacted negotiations with Hamas, calling them “ridiculous.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused Netanyahu’s office of leaking “fabricated” intelligence to sway public opinion and undermine potential hostage deals. The families of hostages in Gaza have voiced concerns that Netanyahu may be stalling a potential agreement, suspecting that an end to the conflict in Gaza could necessitate new elections.

The alleged leaks were the basis for two articles published in September, one in the Jewish Chronicle in the UK and another in Germany’s Bild, both citing Israeli intelligence sources and backing a narrative Netanyahu had been advancing.

As ceasefire discussions and hostage release negotiations unfolded, public protests intensified, with Israelis urging the government to finalize a deal with Hamas. Tensions escalated when six Israelis were killed in Gaza on September 1; four were reportedly set for release under a proposed deal. The next day, Netanyahu held a news conference, presenting a Hamas document allegedly found in a Gaza tunnel that suggested efforts to divide Israelis. He reiterated Israel’s need to control the Gaza-Egypt border, the Philadelphi corridor, to prevent hostages from being taken to Sinai and potentially to Iran or Yemen.

A few days later, the Jewish Chronicle published an article claiming intelligence suggested that Hamas leaders planned to escape with hostages through the corridor. Although since removed, the article is still accessible through archives. Netanyahu’s son, Yair, shared the article on social media.

Israeli officials, including IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, publicly denied knowing details about the supposed plan to move hostages through the Philadelphi corridor. Around the same time, an article in Germany’s Bild cited an intelligence document purportedly showing how Hamas sought to prolong the conflict and pressure the Israeli public. The IDF later clarified that the document mentioned in Bild was neither authored by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar nor recent, but rather an old document found five months prior.

When the court lifted a gag order on Sunday, families of hostages pointed at the prime minister’s office, alleging it had orchestrated one of the “biggest deceptions” in Israel’s history. Opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, who had previously left Netanyahu’s wartime cabinet, criticized the government, with Gantz calling the incident a “national crime.” Both attributed responsibility for the leak to Netanyahu’s office, and Lapid suggested the possibility that the leaks might have been deliberate to sabotage earlier hostage negotiations with Hamas.

Lapid’s statement expressed suspicion that Netanyahu’s team might have circulated both real and falsified documents to hinder a potential hostage deal. He urged a thorough investigation to determine if these actions were taken under Netanyahu’s directive.