Netanyahu's spokesman Eli Feldstein is behind bars for allegedly leaking top-secret military documents - all in an apparent bid to change the public conversation around hostage protests.
Court documents just unsealed today paint a cloak-and-dagger tale: When massive protests erupted after Hamas murdered six hostages, Feldstein allegedly cooked up a plan to shift blame toward Hamas leader Sinwar.
His secret weapon was classified military files about hostage negotiations that he wasn't supposed to have.
Enter an IDF reserve officer, who prosecutors say slipped Feldstein the sensitive documents first via social media, then in an old-school physical handoff. But when Israeli censors blocked the story from hitting local news, Feldstein reportedly didn't give up - he just went international, working backdoor channels to get the information to Germany's Bild newspaper.
"My client was just trying to help bring the hostages home," claims defense attorney Ephraim Damri. Security officials aren't buying it, warning the leak could have seriously compromised national security.
Feldstein and another suspect (whose identity is still under wraps) will spend the next five days in custody while prosecutors build their case. While we can now name Feldstein, several other suspects - including two reserve officers and an active-duty NCO - remain anonymous under a court gag order.
The case heads to Lod District Court next week, where this latest chapter in Israel's hostage crisis drama will continue to unfold.