New details emerge about Netanyahu aide accused of leaking Hamas documents to the press
Israeli prosecutors have accused one of Benjamin Netanyahu’s aides of illegally leaking classified intelligence in an attempt to blunt criticism.
TEL AVIV — Israeli prosecutors have accused one of Benjamin Netanyahu’s aides of illegally leaking classified intelligence in an attempt to blunt widespread criticism of the prime minister’s handling of the Gaza hostage crisis.
The allegations, detailed in newly released court filings, are part of a sprawling criminal probe that has rocked Israel’s government and led to the aide’s arrest and detention in prison. Four military personnel have also been arrested in connection with the case.
Investigators discovered that a low-level Israeli soldier had illegally removed Hamas documents from a military database and passed them to Eli Feldstein, a communications consultant working for Netanyahu, prosecutors said.
Feldstein, 32, then tried to get the documents published in the media with the goal of showing that the hostage families' protests were playing into Hamas’ hands, according to the prosecutors' filings, which were published Sunday.
Feldstein acted “with the intention of influencing public opinion in Israel on the negotiations regarding the hostages and in particular the issue of the contribution of the demonstrations to the strengthening of Hamas,” prosecutors said.
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