Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“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.” (11/04/24)