Spokesman from PMO arrested in connection with leaked 'Hamas documents'; PM Netanyahu denies any connection to suspect

A spokesman with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Israel was arrested last week in connection with the leak of classified documents, including a document purported to come from former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. 

The arrests of several suspects were announced on Friday following an investigation conducted by Shin Bet domestic intelligence, the Israel Police and Israel Defense Forces.

Judge Menachem Mizrahi of the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court partially lifted a gag order regarding details of the investigation, stating that “a number of suspects have been detained for questioning and the investigation is ongoing.” 

Mizrahi said the information leak posed a risk to the war goals in the Gaza Strip, including the release of the hostages, due to the sharing of “sensitive information and sources of intelligence.” 

According to Israeli media, the main suspect is an advisor who worked with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the war. 

The PMO released a statement denying any connection between Netanyahu and the suspect, and alleged that the leak did not originate from the PMO. 

“While there was no leak from the Prime Minister's Office, there were dozens of leaks published in the Israeli and foreign media that revealed details about the negotiations for the return of the hostages, secret cabinet meetings and other sensitive forums – without anyone being questioned. I wonder why,” the statement said. 

The gag order prevents the publication of the suspect's name, photo, and identifying details due to the ongoing investigation, however, Israeli media has shared some information.

The main suspect worked as an advisor to Netanyahu during the war and has attended government meetings, including ones in which sensitive information was discussed. 

The suspect was apparently behind the stories that ran in the German magazine Bild and the Jewish Chronicle that detailed a “secret plan” by the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to smuggle hostages out of Gaza. 

The Jewish Chronicle later retracted the story after it was discovered to be problematic. 

Netanyahu’s office released a statement on Saturday evening confirming: “The document that was published did not reach the Prime Minister's Office at all from Military Intelligence, and the Prime Minister learned about it from the media. The person in question never participated in security discussions, was not disclosed or received classified information, and did not take part in secret visits.” 

Sources close to the suspect told Israeli media he was on multiple tours with Netanyahu, traveled with him extensively, and sat in on important consultations. Hebrew news media released pictures of Prime Minister Netanyahu with the suspect, whose face was blurred out, showing the two together in many different situations, including apparent security briefings. 

According to reports in Hebrew media, the suspect failed a Shin Bet security clearance and was no longer being paid a salary from the PMO as of April. However, he continued to work with Netanyahu and was seen traveling to important meetings with him as late as last week. 

A source close to the suspect told N12 that Netanyahu’s attempt to distance himself from the suspect “is ugly, he threw him under the bus.” 

Several political analysts said the suspect was allegedly hired by Netanyahu as part of an attempt to cast doubt on the IDF and the Shin Bet. The suspect was known to be critical of both and had previously worked with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid pushed back on Netanyahu’s claim that he did not know about the leaks. 

“The affair deals with the very heart of the close connection between the security establishment and the prime minister and those around him. As usual, the prime minister is already trying to distance himself from the affair and hold others responsible, but the facts are the opposite: he is personally responsible for every paper, word, or information that comes out of his office,” Lapid said. 

Former War Cabinet minister, Benny Gantz, another opposition leader, said that Netanyahu is responsible for what happens in his office. 

“Without going into the details of the affair being investigated, which concerns the activities of the Prime Minister's Office, it is important to emphasize one thing – the Prime Minister bears responsibility for what is happening in his office. What is good and what is bad,” Gantz said. 

Netanyahu called for the gag order regarding the investigation to be lifted, saying it “serves as cover for the malicious and intentional denigration of the Prime Minister's Office.”