Netanyahu embroiled in new controversy over Gaza hostage scandal and leaked documents

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is embroiled in a new political storm following the arrest of several individuals connected to his administration over alleged leaks of classified information relating to hostages held by Hamas.

On Sunday (3 Nov), an Israeli court announced the arrests, stating they resulted from a joint investigation by Israeli police, internal security, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The court highlighted that the breach had compromised national security and disrupted Israel’s strategic aims in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The arrested suspects are believed to include a spokesperson for Netanyahu, though the full details of the arrests remain under a partial gag order.

Israeli media has reported that the leaked material, suspected of being selectively manipulated, outlined alleged Hamas plans to move hostages from Gaza through Egypt to Iran or Yemen.

This claim, initially raised by Netanyahu in September, aimed to bolster his argument that Israeli forces should remain on the Gaza-Egypt border as part of any hostage release deal—a proposal Hamas later rejected.

In a bid to avert misinformation, the IDF issued a statement refuting the existence of any such document, prompting an investigation that led to the arrests.

Among those detained is reportedly Eli Feldstein, who served as a government spokesperson and was previously an aide to far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Feldstein, alongside three unnamed suspects allegedly from an intelligence unit, is accused of feeding the potentially manipulated intelligence to European media outlets, including the Jewish Chronicle in the UK and Germany’s Bild. The Jewish Chronicle subsequently retracted the story and fired the journalist involved.

The leaks have stirred backlash, particularly among families of the hostages, who accuse the government of obstructing negotiations with Hamas.

Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan has been held hostage by Hamas, criticised the government, calling it a “cynical deception operation that is taken from dark regimes.”

Speaking at a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Zangauker accused Netanyahu’s administration of derailing an otherwise promising hostage release deal with the fabricated narrative about Hamas.

The hostage families’ frustration mirrors that of Netanyahu’s political opponents, who claim the prime minister is prolonging the negotiations to maintain his position amid mounting legal troubles.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid argued on social media that the leaks compromise Israel’s security and trust, accusing Netanyahu’s government of undermining critical intelligence.

הספין של נתניהו אומר: ״מדובר בהדלפות, כולם מדליפים״. לא מדובר בהדלפות, אלא בשימוש בחומרים מודיעיניים סודיים כדי לסכל עסקת חטופים, סיכון מקורות מודיעיניים וחיי חיילים, והכל מתוך לשכת ראש הממשלה באמצע מלחמה.

— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) November 2, 2024

Former Defence Minister Benny Gantz echoed this sentiment, saying that manipulating sensitive security information for political gain would be both a crime and a betrayal of Israel’s national interests.

לפני שיצאנו מהממשלה, אמרתי ששיקולים פוליטיים חדרו לקודש הקודשים של ביטחון ישראל. התרענו על כך בזמן אמת. הגענו לשלב ההוכחות.

בניגוד לרושם שמנסים לייצר בלשכת ראש הממשלה: לא מדובר בחשד להדלפה – אלא בסיפסור בסודות מדינה, למען צרכים פוליטיים. שימוש בחומרי גלם מודיעיניים שנלקחו ללא…

— בני גנץ – Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) November 3, 2024

The documents in question reportedly included unverified intelligence on Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s alleged plans to use hostages as a protective shield while attempting to leave Gaza. Security experts have raised concerns over the authenticity of these claims.

In fact, the Jewish Chronicle faced severe backlash, with several of its contributors, including prominent figures like Jonathan Freedland and Hadley Freeman, resigning in protest. The controversy also reached German media, where similar documents were published but soon found to be exaggerated, casting further doubt on the credibility of the intelligence.

Netanyahu has denied any involvement by his staff, insisting that none had access to the classified materials under scrutiny.

His office, however, has not ruled out the possibility that the leak originated within his administration, pointing out that numerous other leaks regarding ceasefire negotiations have circulated without triggering investigations. This defence has done little to assuage critics who claim that Netanyahu’s government seeks to discredit families advocating for a ceasefire.

As the backlash mounts, analysts predict that while the scandal may damage Netanyahu’s public standing, it is unlikely to topple his administration. Netanyahu remains in power despite facing longstanding corruption charges, supported by a coalition of right-wing and religious parties.

According to Haaretz journalist Anshel Pfeffer, Netanyahu’s supporters are likely to view the scandal as part of a broader campaign against the prime minister by his critics.

In a final statement addressing the arrests, the IDF underscored that unauthorised handling and manipulation of classified information could lead to serious legal repercussions, potentially impacting those found responsible.

Meanwhile, as protests over the hostage situation continue in Israel, Netanyahu faces increased pressure to clarify his administration’s role in the leaks and ensure transparency in ongoing hostage negotiations.