Israeli authorities have arrested five officials, including a military officer named Eli Feldstein, over alleged leaks of classified information related to Hamas. The leaked documents reportedly provided the basis for a controversial report by *The Jewish Chronicle* in September, claiming that Hamas planned to move Israeli hostages from Gaza to Iran via the Sinai Peninsula. However, *The Chronicle* later retracted the story, fired the journalist involved, and labeled the report as “fabricated.”
Eli Feldstein, 32, who previously served as a spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, is the only suspect publicly identified. The identities of the other four suspects, believed to be members of a military intelligence unit, remain under a gag order. The unit in question reportedly specializes in preventing leaks of sensitive information, according to Israeli news agency TPS.
Germany’s *Bild* also used the documents in a separate report, which suggested that Hamas might be prolonging hostage negotiations to exert pressure on Israel. Channel 12 reported that Israeli authorities view this leak as “an ongoing danger” to the safety of Israeli hostages still in Gaza.
An investigation by Israeli intelligence revealed that the leaked documents were discovered through “another type of intelligence,” rather than by Israeli forces in Gaza. Authorities are now examining how Feldstein, who lacked the necessary security clearance, was able to access both the documents and classified meetings.
The arrests have also spurred political controversy. At a press conference in Tel Aviv, opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz questioned whether Prime Minister Netanyahu had a role in the leak. Lapid argued that if Netanyahu truly lacks influence over his own administration’s actions, he “is ineligible” to lead.
Political scientist Gideon Rahat observed that Netanyahu’s popularity appears unaffected by the controversy, maintaining steady support from over 30% of Israelis. Rahat remarked, “Politics are seen differently today; politicians are not held accountable in the same way for actions under their rule.”
This high-profile case comes amid ongoing debate in Israel regarding the country’s approach to securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.
