Channel 14 Reporter Boasts of Knowing Exact Start Time of Iran War Before It Happened

Hillel Biton Rozen, a military correspondent for Channel 14, boasted in a closed WhatsApp group with IDF spokespersons that he knew the exact time of the start of Operation "Roaring Lion" before the war began. This revelation was reported by analyst Ben Caspit in Maariv. Despite official denials from Shin Bet chief David Zini, the agency collected communication data from journalists whom Prime Minister Netanyahu had complained about.

A senior security source described Yaakov Bardugo, a political operator close to Netanyahu who is pushing for an investigation against Channel 12 over alleged leaks about "Roaring Lion," as effectively acting as "the enemy’s central alert system." Bardugo had publicly hinted at imminent military action just two days before Operation "Like a Wolf." Unlike Channel 14, other Israeli channels, including Channel 12, only began live broadcasts once the war actually started.

Bardugo admitted to meeting with Shin Bet chief Zini to persuade him to open an investigation against Channel 12. The meeting, which also included a Shin Bet official related to a Channel 14 journalist, was unusual and raised questions about the agency’s impartiality. Bardugo has also called for an investigation into Zini himself, following reports that Zini avoided probing the leak.

Since the "Kataregate" and "Bild" affairs, Netanyahu has filed numerous complaints with Shin Bet against critical journalists, though he has never complained about leaks from his own close aides that endangered operations. These complaints involve highly sensitive information, yet political figures without security clearance have been exposed to their details. According to law, such sensitive investigations require approval from the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara.

Although Zini claimed no investigations against journalists were conducted, journalist Ronen Bergman revealed that Shin Bet and the Defense Security Authority used communication data to identify contacts with journalists Netanyahu complained about. This practice began under Zini’s tenure and was not done by his predecessor. Shin Bet stated that leak investigations are opened only after a thorough professional and legal process and denied that decisions are influenced by external pressures. The agency emphasized that the purpose of the investigation is to close security breaches within the defense establishment.