Israeli Army Investigates Leaks Allegedly Tied to Hamas
The Israeli army is currently investigating leaks of documents reportedly linked to the Palestinian group Hamas that were released to foreign media outlets. According to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, the leaks are believed to have originated from Gaza and were meant to influence public opinion regarding negotiations for a hostage swap with Hamas.
The leaked documents are said to align with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hardline stance on the negotiations, further exacerbating tensions between the security establishment and Netanyahu. While the army supports prisoner swap efforts with Hamas, Netanyahu opposes halting the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Recent revelations from a German newspaper, Bild, suggested a Hamas action plan to pressure Israel and help top leaders escape through the Gaza-Egypt border. However, the Israeli army determined that the document was not authored by top Hamas officials.
Amidst stalled mediation efforts by the US, Qatar, and Egypt for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza, Netanyahu’s resistance to meeting Hamas’ demands has sparked backlash from security officials, opposition figures, and hostage families, leading to calls for his resignation.