These documents outline Sinwar's intentions as previously warned by Netanyahu. The IDF stated that this serious violation will be examined and investigated.
Over the weekend, an internal IDF investigation began to ascertain who might be manipulating and leaking classified Hamas documents captured in Gaza, according to Ronen Bergman in Ynet. The report claims that some documents are distorted or fabricated, and a certain individual is passing them to the international media in an attempt to influence public opinion in Israel regarding the hostage deal.
The case is causing significant concern and anger within the defense establishment and is likely to heighten tensions between it and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates. This tension has already reached a new peak due to the deep disputes over the deal. The issue pertains to two recent publications: one in the British "Jewish Chronicle" and the other in the German "Bild."
These articles featured internal and confidential Hamas documents and statements from Sinwar, indicating that Sinwar aims to sow division among Israelis, is not interested in a deal, and plans to transfer hostages via the Philadelphi Route to Egypt and then to Iran, exactly as Netanyahu claimed in his speeches last week.
IDF spokesperson's response: "Following a review over the weekend, the document published in 'Bild' is approximately five months old. It is an old document, written as a recommendation by mid-level Hamas officials, not by Sinwar himself.
The IDF also stated: "The information in the document was part of similar documents previously held by the IDF and did not constitute new information. After investigation, no mistake was found in its dissemination. This information was presented to decision-makers several times before the document in question was identified. The leak of the document constitutes a serious offense and will be investigated by the appropriate authorities."
Regarding the report that hostages are being held close to Sinwar as human shields, an IDF officer said: "It was clear from the beginning that this was nonsense."
