Eli Feldstein, an advisor in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, has been arrested on charges of “espionage.”

An Israeli court has announced that Feldstein is among four individuals detained in an operation based on allegations of “leaking classified information” aimed at undermining ceasefire efforts in Gaza. The other three detainees, whose identities have not been disclosed, are reported to be from the security establishment.

The court is currently evaluating whether military information that allegedly flowed from the Israeli army to the Prime Minister’s Office—and subsequently to foreign media—has compromised or might compromise attempts to free hostages held in Gaza.

According to Haaretz, the main suspicion centers on Feldstein’s alleged illegal acquisition of top-secret documents from security personnel. These documents were then reportedly leaked to international media with manipulated interpretations aligned with Netanyahu’s office’s narrative.

During a hearing, one suspect’s attorney argued that his client shared information about the hostages with Feldstein, believing the Prime Minister should be informed.

What information was leaked and why?

In May, U.S. President Joe Biden proposed a ceasefire in Gaza coupled with a prisoner exchange after securing initial agreement from Israeli officials. However, Netanyahu insisted that Israeli forces remain in the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt to prevent Hamas from rearming and to stop further “kidnapping” of Israeli hostages. Israeli defense officials argued that this request was unnecessary for security and accused Netanyahu of undermining the ceasefire proposal.

Shortly after, European media outlets published reports citing documents that appeared to support Netanyahu’s new precondition for a ceasefire.

The German daily Bild alleged that Hamas was using hostage negotiations as “psychological warfare against Israel,” while the London-based Jewish Chronicle reported that Hamas was planning to smuggle Israeli hostages out of Gaza via Egypt.

The investigation, which commenced following these reports, accuses the suspects of “leaking confidential documents.”

Details of the investigation remain under a publication ban, though the court partially lifted the gag order yesterday. This revealed that Eli Feldstein, identified as an advisor in Netanyahu’s office, is the primary suspect in the alleged leaks.

According to reports, Feldstein’s role as an “advisor” in Netanyahu’s office—as opposed to an official “spokesperson”—is due to his failure to pass the security checks required for a formal spokesperson appointment.

The Israeli army has announced the arrest of Ali Suleiman al-Assi, a Syrian citizen from the Druze minority, in a recent “pinpoint operation.” Al-Assi is suspected of monitoring the Israeli military on behalf of Iran from within Syria.

According to a statement from the Israeli army spokesperson’s office, special forces arrested al-Assi in Sayda, a town in Daraa, southern Syria. Al-Assi, reportedly a member of the Druze community, is accused of spying on the Israeli army in the border region while allegedly posing as a Syrian military intelligence officer and providing information to Iran.

The Israeli army spokesperson’s office also released footage of al-Assi’s interrogation.

Separately, it was reported that Israeli forces conducted an operation in Lebanon, during which they apprehended Imad Ehmez, a Lebanese citizen, in the coastal town of Batroun. Images published in the Lebanese press and on social media show Israeli forces landing in Batroun and arresting Ehmez.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has instructed Foreign Minister Abdullah Buhabib to file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council regarding the abduction.

Israel claims that Imad Ehmez is a “military official responsible for weapons supplies to Hezbollah” and a “naval officer in the Lebanese army.” Lebanese authorities, however, dispute these claims, asserting that Ehmez is a civilian sailor and captain.

Fadel Ehmez, the father of Imad Ehmez, insists that his son has no affiliation with any political group. He has called on the International Red Cross and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to assist in securing his son’s safe return.

Egypt has decided to postpone Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Israel until after the U.S. elections, viewing this delay as an opportunity to secure more favorable terms amid Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent maneuvers.

In light of Netanyahu’s latest actions, Egypt has opted not to agree to a ceasefire at this time. Instead, it has postponed talks with mediators until after next week’s U.S. elections to strengthen its negotiating position.

Diplomatic sources report ongoing contacts between Cairo, Washington, and Doha. Discussions have also taken place in Cairo between U.S. Director of National Intelligence William Perez and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, joined by Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad. These sources indicate that Israel currently has no intention of halting the conflict, even temporarily.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts in Gaza and Lebanon continue in hopes of implementing a ceasefire as soon as possible.

An Egyptian official told the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar that the U.S. recognizes the difficulties of enforcing U.N. resolutions on Lebanon but is still working to “reach a ceasefire, even if there are agreements not officially announced.”

The official explained that separate ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon are ideas supported by the U.S. but remain unacceptable to Tel Aviv. This includes two days of proposed talks, which Cairo agreed to, that began in Doha earlier this week after a two-month hiatus.

The official further noted that Netanyahu appears to be “attempting to extend this conflict into a war of attrition.”

Separately, an Egyptian military source has categorically denied claims that Israel shot down a drone allegedly carrying weapons into the Gaza Strip from Egyptian airspace, stressing that such reports are entirely unfounded.

“Security forces are on alert, air traffic is under intensive monitoring, and these accusations from Tel Aviv are untrue,” the source said. The source added that Egypt views these accusations as an attempt by Israel to justify its refusal to withdraw from border areas and its ongoing closure of the Rafah crossing.

Following recent reports that the German ship Catherine had arrived in Alexandria with military equipment, Egypt has also dismissed these allegations as “completely untrue.”

Another Egyptian official told Al-Akhbar that authorities suspect a coordinated campaign aimed at misrepresenting Egypt’s role in supporting the Palestinian cause. They believe that the inclusion of these allegations by anti-regime voices serves as a way to exploit the current situation.

The official further clarified, “Cairo will not adopt exceptional measures regarding navigation to Israeli ports, especially amidst a conflict that has disrupted Red Sea access to ports due to Houthi attacks in Yemen.”