Netanyahu's inner circle implodes: Inside the bitter feud rocking Israel's hostage negotiations 

As Israel approaches another potential hostage release, tensions within its leadership have burst into public view, with accusations flying over the handling of negotiations with Hamas.

A "senior official familiar with the details" issued a statement Wednesday morning directly criticizing former negotiating team members, including Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar and Mossad Director Dadi Barnea. The official claimed that recent progress in hostage negotiations came only after Prime Minister Netanyahu decided to reshape the negotiating team.

"The new team changed the dynamics and led actual negotiations instead of just making concessions," the senior official stated. They particularly criticized what they described as "regular and tendentious briefings against the Prime Minister and political leadership, which only caused Hamas to entrench its position and add demands."

Opposition's Fierce Response

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid launched a blistering attack in response to the statement, which he firmly believed originated from the Prime Minister's Office. His response went beyond mere disagreement, raising serious concerns about leadership during this critical period.

"The statement that came from the Prime Minister's Office raises concerns about the stability of his judgment," Lapid declared, characterizing it as "both a cowardly statement and a complete and absolute lie." He accused Netanyahu of perpetuating a dangerous pattern of behavior: "Netanyahu continues to blame others for his failures and continues to torment the hostages' families for political gain."

In a particularly pointed warning that highlighted the toxic dynamics within the administration, Lapid cautioned: "Everyone who works for him needs to know that sooner or later, they will be publicly sacrificed for half a headline." He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "We're dealing with matters of life and death, and he's looking for credit." Lapid concluded with a direct challenge to the Prime Minister, urging him to "stop hiding behind anonymous briefings and focus on bringing all the hostages home."

This latest dispute emerges as Israel approaches what could be another significant hostage release agreement. The timing of these accusations has raised concerns about their potential impact on ongoing diplomatic efforts. The security cabinet is scheduled to meet to discuss the next phase of negotiations, making the timing of these accusations particularly sensitive.

The public nature of these disagreements provides a rare glimpse into the internal tensions surrounding Israel's negotiating strategy with Hamas, highlighting the increasingly fractious nature of Israel's internal politics during the war, particularly regarding the sensitive issue of hostage negotiations. It reveals deep divisions over approach and methodology in securing the hostages' release and also raises questions about the relationship between Israel's political leadership and its security establishment.