Overview
Netanyahu's chief of staff was detained by Israel's national crime unit on January 11, 2026, suspected of trying to shut down an investigation into leaked military secrets. The probe centers on a September 2024 leak to German tabloid Bild—classified Hamas documents that appeared to justify Netanyahu's resistance to a hostage deal, published just days after six captives were found executed in a Rafah tunnel.
At stake: whether Netanyahu's inner circle illegally manipulated intelligence to counter massive public protests demanding he accept a ceasefire. Three people have been indicted. The prime minister faces parallel corruption trials and a fragile 60-seat coalition. This scandal threatens to collapse his government while Israeli hostages remain in Gaza.
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Key Indicators
People Involved
Organizations Involved
Israel's national crime-fighting unit, known as the "Israeli FBI," investigates corruption, national security crimes, murder, and sexual assault.
Germany's largest tabloid published leaked Israeli military intelligence on Hamas hostage negotiation strategy in September 2024.
Coalition of families whose relatives are held hostage in Gaza, organizing mass protests demanding Netanyahu prioritize a ceasefire deal.
Timeline
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Braverman Detained in Obstruction Probe
InvestigationLahav 433 detains Netanyahu's chief of staff, searches his home. Suspected of breach of trust and obstructing BibiLeaks investigation.
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Netanyahu Requests Presidential Pardon
LegalPrime minister asks President Herzog for pardon in corruption trials without admitting guilt or showing contrition.
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Attorney General Moves to Indict Urich
LegalGali Baharav-Miara announces intent to charge Urich with endangering state security for extracting and transmitting classified intelligence.
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Coalition Partner Withdraws
PoliticalUnited Torah Judaism leaves government over draft law dispute, leaving Netanyahu with bare 60-seat Knesset majority.
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Rosenfeld Released to House Arrest
LegalAfter four months detention, court orders electronic monitoring house arrest for IDF reservist.
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Rosenfeld Identity Revealed
LegalTel Aviv District Court lifts gag order, publicly naming IDF reservist charged in case.
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Netanyahu Begins Testimony in Corruption Trial
LegalPrime minister takes stand in separate corruption cases involving bribery, fraud, breach of trust. Trial ongoing since 2019.
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Feldstein Released to House Arrest
LegalHigh Court orders Feldstein released to house arrest after month in custody.
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Feldstein Implicates Netanyahu
StatementIn KAN interviews, Feldstein claims Netanyahu was "behind the leak," approved strategy, and was "thrilled" by publication.
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Yonatan Urich Questioned by Police
InvestigationNetanyahu's senior media adviser interrogated on suspicion of involvement in extracting and leaking intelligence.
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Feldstein and Rosenfeld Indicted
LegalBoth charged with transferring classified information. Feldstein faces additional charges of intent to harm state and obstruction of justice.
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Feldstein and Rosenfeld Arrested
LegalLahav 433 arrests Feldstein; military authorities detain Rosenfeld. Investigation reveals chain from IDF database to Bild newsroom.
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Bild Publishes Leaked Intelligence
MediaGerman tabloid runs story based on classified Hamas documents, framing them as proof Hamas manipulates hostage families' protests. Netanyahu camp celebrates.
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Braverman Allegedly Offers to "Shut Down" Probe
InvestigationBraverman meets Feldstein, informs him military launched investigation, says he could "shut down" probe, according to later testimony.
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Mass Protests Erupt Across Israel
ProtestTens of thousands demand Netanyahu accept ceasefire deal. Largest demonstrations since March 2023, with general strike bringing nation to halt.
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Rosenfeld Steals Classified Documents
InvestigationIDF reservist Ari Rosenfeld illegally removes Hamas intelligence documents from military database, transfers them to Feldstein.
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Six Hostages Executed in Rafah Tunnel
CrisisHamas kills Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Alexander Lobanov, Carmel Gat, and Almog Sarusi by gunshot at close range in Tel Sultan neighborhood tunnel. Bodies discovered two days later.
Scenarios
Braverman Charged, Coalition Survives
Discussed by: Israeli political analysts, Times of Israel coverage
Prosecutors indict Braverman for obstruction but stop short of directly implicating Netanyahu, who avoids questioning. The UK ambassador nomination gets withdrawn under pressure from opposition parties. Feldstein and Rosenfeld receive reduced sentences in plea deals. Netanyahu's coalition holds its 60-seat majority through October 2026 elections despite continuous protests. The BibiLeaks scandal merges into the broader narrative of Netanyahu's corruption trials without triggering immediate political collapse.
Investigation Reaches Netanyahu, Government Falls
Discussed by: Opposition leader Yair Lapid, Atlantic Council analysts, hostage families advocates
Mounting evidence from Feldstein, Urich, and Braverman forces investigators to question Netanyahu directly. Ultra-Orthodox coalition partners, already fragile after July 2025 withdrawal, use the scandal as justification to abandon ship and trigger early elections. Netanyahu faces simultaneous trials for corruption and national security breaches. A caretaker government takes over hostage negotiations. The political crisis delays resolution of the Gaza conflict and hostage situation for months.
Obstruction Charges Collapse, Scandal Fades
Discussed by: Netanyahu's legal team, Likud Party statements
Braverman's lawyers successfully argue his statement to Feldstein was mere bravado, not actual obstruction. Without cooperation from Feldstein—who may retract his claims under pressure—prosecutors lack evidence to prove criminal intent. The case gets bogged down in technical legal arguments about what constitutes classified information and proper handling. By 2026 elections, BibiLeaks becomes one more unresolved scandal in Netanyahu's long list, barely registering with voters focused on security and economic issues.
International Pressure Forces Accountability
Discussed by: Foreign policy analysts, human rights organizations
The UK government refuses to accept Braverman as ambassador, creating diplomatic embarrassment. International media attention on intelligence manipulation undermines Israel's credibility with allies. The U.S. conditions military aid on transparent investigation reaching Netanyahu if evidence warrants. Facing external pressure Netanyahu's coalition partners can't ignore, the government agrees to independent commission. The investigation expands to examine other instances of intelligence politicization during the Gaza war.
Historical Context
Jonathan Pollard Intelligence Leak (1984-1987)
1984-1987What Happened
Jonathan Pollard, a U.S. Navy intelligence analyst, sold American state secrets to Israel for over a year before his arrest in 1985. The case created a major diplomatic crisis between the U.S. and Israel, with Pollard providing thousands of classified documents to Israeli handlers.
Outcome
Short term: Pollard sentenced to life in prison in 1987 after pleading guilty to espionage.
Long term: Released on parole in 2015 after 30 years, moved to Israel in 2020. Case remains controversial symbol of Israeli intelligence operations and U.S.-Israel tensions.
Why It's Relevant
Shows historical precedent for severe consequences in Israeli intelligence leak cases and the diplomatic fallout when classified information is mishandled for political purposes.
Pentagon Papers Leak (1971)
1971What Happened
Daniel Ellsberg, a military analyst, leaked classified Pentagon study to the New York Times revealing U.S. government had systematically lied about Vietnam War progress. The Nixon administration sought to suppress publication and prosecute Ellsberg for espionage and theft.
Outcome
Short term: Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of newspapers' right to publish. Charges against Ellsberg dismissed due to government misconduct.
Long term: Accelerated erosion of public trust in government, contributed to anti-war movement, established precedent for whistleblower protections and press freedom.
Why It's Relevant
Demonstrates parallel between intelligence manipulation to shape public opinion during wartime and the political consequences when exposed. BibiLeaks similarly involves wartime intelligence weaponized against domestic opposition.
2024 U.S.-Israel Intelligence Leak on Iran Strike Plans
October 2024What Happened
CIA analyst Asif Rahman leaked classified U.S. intelligence documents detailing Israel's preparations for retaliatory strikes against Iran to Telegram channel Middle East Spectator. The leak exposed sensitive operational details just as Israel was planning its response to Iranian missile attacks.
Outcome
Short term: Rahman arrested November 2024, same day another leaker (Jack Teixeira) sentenced to 15 years for Ukraine war leaks.
Long term: Rahman pleaded guilty January 2025, sentenced March 2025 to 37 months in prison. Highlighted ongoing challenges of insider threats to classified information.
Why It's Relevant
Occurred simultaneously with BibiLeaks investigation, showing pattern of intelligence leaks affecting Israeli military operations during same time period. Demonstrates international precedent for prosecuting intelligence leaks with prison sentences.