Israeli police arrested Eli Feldstein, a spokesperson who worked closely with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as part of an investigation into the alleged leaking of classified documents to foreign news organisations. The case became public around November 4, 2024, amid claims that the resulting stories could have damaged negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages.
A court in Rishon LeZion said Feldstein and three other people were under investigation for supplying stories to European newspapers. Israel Defense Forces Radio separately reported a fifth arrest involving a major in the military intelligence branch’s information-security department. The identities of the other suspects were not disclosed in the reporting.
The investigation followed articles published in September by Britain’s Jewish Chronicle and Germany’s Bild. The reporting drew on different sets of material. According to the reporting, stories based on partial or false information appeared at a critical point in the hostage talks. One claim asserted that Hamas planned to move hostages into Egypt, a narrative that supported Netanyahu’s resistance to a proposed agreement.
The Jewish Chronicle later removed articles by freelance contributor Elon Perry and ended its relationship with him after examining questions about his record. Several prominent columnists resigned, criticising the newspaper’s editorial standards. Perry disputed the newspaper’s handling of the matter and said he could not identify his source. The Bild documents were reported to be authentic, but Israeli security journalist Ronen Bergman concluded that their importance had been substantially overstated.
The IDF began tracing the leak after the stories appeared. Netanyahu denied misconduct by his staff and said Feldstein had not had access to classified information. Opposition politicians and families of hostages nevertheless argued that the episode raised grave questions about whether sensitive material had been used to influence public opinion and impede negotiations.
Benny Gantz, a former member of Netanyahu’s war cabinet, said using security information for political survival would amount to both a criminal act and a betrayal of the country. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said either knowledge or ignorance of such conduct would reflect severely on the prime minister.
Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan was held by Hamas, accused the government of deception. Hostage families said the allegations further weakened trust after prolonged efforts to secure the captives’ return. More than 100 of the 251 people taken during the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, remained unaccounted for at the time.
The inquiry did not, on the reporting, establish Netanyahu’s personal involvement. It did intensify scrutiny of how restricted military information entered the media during one of the most consequential phases of the negotiations.
