Netanyahu aide arrested for leaking info to sabotage hostage deal

Jerusalem: An aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under suspicion for leaking classified documents to a European newspaper in an attempt to sway public opinion against a ceasefire-for-hostage deal with Hamas.

Eli Feldstein, Netanyahu's media advisor, was arrested and interrogated by Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency. The Magistrate's Court in Rishon LeZion lifted a gag order on Sunday, revealing new details about the case, which has sparked a political scandal. Three additional security personnel, whose identities have not been disclosed, are also detained in connection with the leak.

Feldstein, who had the classified documents since June, allegedly leaked them in September. The documents were intended to portray the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as unwilling to agree to a ceasefire that would facilitate the release of hostages. After Israeli military censors blocked the publication of the documents locally, Feldstein bypassed the restrictions by providing the materials to Germany's Bild newspaper. He reportedly encouraged Israeli journalists to follow up with stories after the newspaper published the information.

Feldstein's detention was extended by five days, and he is expected to face charges next week. The documents were allegedly obtained from an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reserve officer, who is also under investigation. The leaked materials became particularly controversial after the Israeli army recovered the bodies of six hostages, killed by Hamas shortly before Israeli troops reached them in late August.

The incident has added fuel to mounting criticism of Netanyahu, who has been blamed for failing to secure the release of hostages, as nationwide protests intensify calling for a ceasefire with Hamas.

With IANS inputs