Netanyahu laments 'witch hunt' as police probe incidents from start of war

The Magistrate’s Court in Rishon Lezion allowed limited information to be released about an ongoing criminal investigation, initiated by Lahav 433, into events at the start of the Israel-Hamas War, Israel Police announced on Tuesday.

The Israel Police stated, “The Israel Police, Unit 433, is conducting a criminal investigation related to events from the beginning of the war, during which several investigative actions were conducted openly. A gag order has been issued on the case.”

The Prime Minister's Office said in response, "This is an unprecedented witch hunt against the Prime Minister's Office in the middle of a war."

"After a year of a flood of criminal leaks from cabinet discussions and meetings about hostages and missing persons—which provided valuable intelligence to our enemies—the only two investigations that were opened targeted the Prime Minister's Office rather than the wholesale leakers, none of whom were investigated, and who caused tremendous harm to the hostages and to Israel's security," the statement further stated. 

"As with previous attempts to inflate accusations against the prime minister and his circle, this too will amount to nothing," the PMO noted, adding, "But it will certainly raise serious questions about unprecedented and baseless selective enforcement."

Prime Minister's Office security leaks

On Sunday, Judge Menachem Mizrahi, President of the Magistrate’s Court in Rishon Lezion, permitted the release of information identifying Eliezer Feldstein as the primary suspect in a case involving leaks and the theft of a classified IDF document. His detention was extended until Tuesday, along with the detention of two additional suspects connected to the defense establishment. A fourth suspect was released to house arrest.

Judge Mizrahi has determined that the investigation, conducted by the Shin Bet, Lahav 433’s National Serious and International Crime Unit, the Israel Police, and the IDF, is being handled with the highest level of professionalism. Consequently, he decided to withhold further details to avoid jeopardizing the investigation.

After the publication of the investigation was released, the October 7 Civilian Commission of Inquiry released a statement, saying, "Enough is enough. It is intolerable that while a state inquiry committee has yet to be established, efforts are underway to sabotage its future operations."

"Tonight’s serious revelations reinforce what we’ve been calling for over a year: any delay in forming a state inquiry committee risks allowing those involved to cover up responsibility and avoid accountability," the statement ended.

We renew our call: establish a state inquiry committee. Now. This is the need of the hour."