Former IDF Chief Herzl Halevi Details Secret Investigation Into Leak Affecting Netanyahu's Office

Channel 13 News revealed testimony from former IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi regarding a covert security investigation linked to a leak of sensitive intelligence to the German newspaper Bild. The probe began after Tzachi Braverman, then Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allegedly summoned Eli Feldstein to a parking lot at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv to discuss the investigation. Braverman is facing indictment pending a hearing.

Halevi testified on January 14 at the Lahav 433 police unit, explaining how he learned from his assistant about the leak involving raw intelligence from a sensitive Hamas source. Concerned that Hamas might identify the source through the media exposure, Halevi authorized the investigation but chose not to update Netanyahu, trusting the professionals handling the case. He stated that the Prime Minister’s office is only informed of military investigations if there is a sensitive operational issue, which was not the case here.

Halevi also addressed media briefings from Netanyahu’s circle accusing the IDF and Shin Bet of conducting the investigation to harm Netanyahu’s associates, calling such claims "absurd." He clarified the proper channels for intelligence information flow to the Prime Minister, emphasizing the military secretary’s role. Halevi further denied knowing Feldstein before the arrest announcement, contradicting Netanyahu’s description of Feldstein as insignificant.

This testimony is part of the broader "Ketergate" affair, in which Netanyahu’s close advisor Yonatan Urich was indicted. Halevi and former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar are prosecution witnesses, asserting that the leak of classified documents to Bild seriously endangered state security by risking intelligence sources, supporting the prosecution’s case against Urich.