“Goodbye Lebanon”
CounterPunchOct 19
Israel Investigating Intelligence Leaks from Netanyahu's Office
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Above: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) speaks to Defence Minister Yoav Gallant (L) at the opening of the 25th Parliament session in Jerusalem on October 28, 2024. Image copyright: Debbie Hill/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Israeli authorities have so far arrested five suspects, including the spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over the alleged leak of top secret information that could have caused "significant damage" to negotiations to free Israeli hostages in Gaza.
The leaks were allegedly used in reports by the Bild and Jewish Chronicle which detailed Hamas' unwillingness to reach a deal in Gaza and a possible plan for slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to flee Gaza alongside some hostages, respectively.
The Spin
Left narrative
Though it's disappointing that members of Netanyahu's inner circle would leak information to stifle hostage negotiations, it is not surprising. Netanyahu has shown that he cares more about his political survival than the lives of Israeli citizens.
Right narrative
Though leaks like this must be taken seriously, the alarmist rhetoric that they jeopardized hostage talks is unhelpful. Even American officials have confirmed that Hamas has consistently been the primary obstacle to reaching a deal. Additionally, those suspected of leaking the information were never involved in internal security discussions.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Regardless of political scandals in Israel, the country's genocide in Gaza has continued unabated. "Cease-fire" talks have acted as a ruse cooked up by the Americans to provide Israel with diplomatic cover to continue Israel's genocide as well as its destruction of Lebanon. Indeed, it's quite clear that Israel's political and military leadership have decided that a drawn-out regional war is in Israel's best interest.
