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Journalism of Courage
Israeli authorities are investigating a potential leak of classified Gaza intelligence, allegedly involving an aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The leak may have compromised Israel’s national security and impacted efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, according to a report by Reuters.
A partial lifting of a court-imposed gag order has disclosed that classified information from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) was allegedly removed illegally, a move the Rishon Le-Zion Magistrates’ Court described as risking “serious damage to the state’s security” and harming Israeli efforts to negotiate hostage releases.
“Classified and sensitive intelligence information was taken from IDF systems and taken out illegally,” the court noted, suggesting potential repercussions for Israel’s security operations.
PM Netanyahu, however, denies any misconduct by his staff, stating he first learned of the leaked document through the media. Four individuals – including a Netanyahu spokesperson and three security personnel – are reportedly under investigation but have not commented publicly.
Meanwhile, one suspect has been released, while others remain in detention as the investigation proceeds, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.
The information at the centre of the leak was published in Bild, a German newspaper, in September. This report supposedly outlined Hamas’ negotiating strategy, emerging just as the United States, Qatar, and Egypt were mediating talks aimed at a ceasefire and hostage release.
The timing of the publication caused friction between Israel and Hamas, with each side blaming the other for stalled talks. Around that period, six Israeli hostages were found executed in a Hamas tunnel, triggering mass protests across Israel and demands from the families of hostages for greater transparency.
A lawyer for some of the hostage families, Dana Pugach, emphasised the need for clarity, given the families’ prolonged uncertainty. “These people have been living on a rollercoaster of rumours and half-truths,” Pugach said, adding that if any details about the negotiations had indeed been leaked, the families have a right to know.
Following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and resulted in over 250 hostages being taken to Gaza, Israel launched retaliatory strikes that have killed over 43,000 Palestinians and devastated the region, according to Reuters.
(with inputs from Reuters)
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