© ReutersRelatives of hostages and their supporters demonstrate by Netanyahu's residence
A mother whose son is being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza has accused Israel's government of
"a cynical deception operation that is taken from dark regimes", after it emerged a government spokesperson had been arrested for allegedly leaking documents that may have undermined a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
It came after a court in Rishon LeZion said
Eli Feldstein and three others were under investigation for feeding stories to European newspapers.Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Radio also reported
a fifth arrest in connection with the probe, said to be a major in the military's intelligence branch information security department, tasked with preventing and investigating leaks. The
Haaretz newspaper said all unnamed suspects were from this unit.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied wrongdoing by his staff, but
opposition figures and hostages' families have accused his government of sabotaging negotiations. The stories, given to Britain's
Jewish Chronicle and Germany's tabloid
Bild, were based on partial or false information and came at a crucial time for hostage negotiations.
Comment: It seems Israel is beginning to wake up and it is angry. Neti may have a justified domestic crisis on his hands.