Israel Weekly News Roundup, Apr. 4, 2025
5 Things you need to know
Israel at War - Day 545
1. Qatar-Gate, A Developing Story of a Scandal
Police investigation of forbidden ties between the closest advisors of PM Netanyahu and top officials in Qatar intensified. The ties include an American businessman, Jay Footlik, who works as a lobbyist for Qatar, an Israeli businessman who was the middleman, two of PM Netanyahu’s advisors, and also the involvement of Israeli journalists.
This story, named Qatar-gate, alleges that the two advisors contracted to change the framing and branding of Qatar for the Israeli public. The allegation claims that they used their position in PM Netanyahu’s close circle of advisors to brief journalists so as to improve the image of Qatar. Journalists were under the impression that the briefings were coming from PM Netanyahu and on his behalf, but they actually originated from Qatar. It is important to say in this context that Qatar is not only the host country for Hamas's top officials but is also the main and only financier of the terrorist organization over the years, with the approval of the government of Israel. As well, Qatar also holds the position of the top negotiator for the hostage deal with Hamas.
The two advisors, Jonathan Urich and Elli Feldstein were detained and investigated. The editor of the Jerusalem Post was also arrested, but later released, and a list of journalists were called to testify.
According to journalist sources, the editor of the Jerusalem Post is suspected of receiving forbidden benefits from Qatar. The editor, Zvi Klein visited Qatar some months ago and interviewed officials in the country. He later gave interviews about this visit.
The police investigation dives into the question of whether, when the two advisors briefed journalists in Israel, who thought they were briefed by a senior source at the PM office, were actually briefed by a senior Qatari source. And whether PM Netanyahu was aware of the fact that they were working for both Qatar and PM Netanyahu at the same time. PM Netanyahu gave testimony to the police where he claimed he knew nothing. He later published a short video in which he attacked law enforcement and blamed them for executing a political investigation, tailored to bring down a right-wing government. Later he published another video saying that Qatar is not a hostile country but rather a complicated country and that his advisors are innocent.
2. Israeli Defense Force Renews Ground Operation in Gaza
PM Netanyahu and his government decided to renew the ground operation in Gaza, as a means to pressure Hamas to release the 59 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, 24 of whom are still thought to be alive. The negotiations between Israel and Hamas were halted by Israel, after the release of 33 hostages, and a long ceasefire.
Earlier this week, Yarden Bibas, who was released from Gaza a few weeks ago, gave an exclusive interview with Lesley Stahl for CBS 60 minutes. Yarden’s wife Shiri and two children, Ariel and Kfir, became iconic all over the world - the two red-headed babies. Kfir was the youngest hostage, only 10 months old. The three were brutally murdered by their captors, some months after their October 7 brutal abduction. Yarden said in the interview that his captives used to ridicule him, saying that he would have a better wife and better children. Yarden decided to give an interview to raise awareness of and sentiment for the 59 hostages who are still held captive in Gaza.
Israeli officials claimed that only kinetic pressure on Gaza would force Hamas to agree to release more hostages.
Israel called on the people in the southern part of the Gaza Strip to evacuate their homes in the town of Rafah. The operation is expanding and now Israeli military forces are holding positions around Rafah and have extended their positions on the border with Egypt. Israeli military ground forces also intensified their attack on agricultural communities in the northern Gaza Strip, causing extensive damage and casualties in the area.
The attacks, ground operations, and air strikes are taking a growing toll on human lives and destruction of facilities. Tens of children and women were killed in the last few days.
Earlier this week Palestinian rescue teams discovered a mass grave with bodies of several medical support staff who were attacked by Israeli military forces. The Palestinians claim that they were executed and that their bodies show that they were shot in the torso.
The Israel Defense Force sent out draft notices to recall many reservists. Many of those recalled to service decided not to report for duty again, due to fatigue from too many days in the army, concern for their jobs, and small businesses. According to military sources, three army divisions are on the ground in Gaza right now.
PM Netanyahu and defense minister Katz, are eager to subdue Hamas totally, and announce total victory over the organization.
3. PM Netanyahu Makes a U-Turn after Nomination of a New Shin Bet Head and Cancels The Nomination Soon After
PM Netanyahu fired the head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, claiming that there was no trust between them. Bar took full responsibility for the failure of the Shin Bet to identify the planned Hamas attack on October 7th. He said that he would resign, right after concluding the inquiries about the failure of the organization and delivery of reports to the government and the public. But PM Netanyahu decided to fire him regardless. Some analysts claim that his resignation had to do with a new investigation opened by the Shin Bet, about alleged suspicious ties between PM Netanyahu’s close advisers and Qatar (see above), and PM Netanyahu’s wish to kill and delegitimize the investigation. According to the law, the government has the authority to fire the head of Shin Bet. However, civil society organizations appealed to the Supreme Court against the decision to fire Bar. The court set April 10 as the date for discussion and allowed the PM in the interim to interview candidates for a Director of the Shin Bet. PM Netanyahu immediately started to interview people, trying to get to the court date with the decision for a replacement already made. Earlier this week his office issued a statement before 8am in the morning that PM Netanyahu chose General Elli Sharvit, former chief of the navy to be the next Shin Bet director. It took 24 hours for the PM to cancel this nomination, due to pressure probably from his base and his family. Shortly after the first announcement it was published that the chosen general participated in a demonstration against the judicial overhaul, the ongoing protest before the war, and that he recently published an op-ed attacking President Trump’s approach to global warming. Analysts believe that PM Netanyahu wanted to be prepared with a new nominee before the court ruling, and set the agenda both for the Supreme Court and the public, but unfortunately had to cancel. Later PM Netanyahu announced that he would appoint the current deputy to be a temporary head of the Shin Bet.
4. Steep Escalation in Settler Violence in the West Bank
This week, several violent attacks perpetrated by Jewish settlers and IDF soldiers on Palestinian communities in the West Bank took place. Last Saturday, according to testimonies of residents and video footage, dozens of Israeli soldiers and settlers vandalized homes in the Palestinian village of Jinba in the Masafer Yatta area of the West Bank. At first, the IDF stated that the soldiers were looking for firearms in the residents’ homes. Seven Palestinian residents were detained.
However, following public criticism, the army conducted a probe, following which a commander and two soldiers were sentenced to seven days in detention, and the platoon commander was dismissed from his position. The following day, citing self-defense, an Israeli military court released the seven Palestinians who were detained during the attack on the village, for allegedly throwing stones.
Later this week, some 50 Israeli settlers attacked homes in the northern West Bank village of Duma, setting fire to properties. Three Palestinians were reported injured in the attack.
Defense Minister Israel Katz (Likud) said, in an interview with Galei Tsahal, the army radio station, that the torching of homes and vehicles does not constitute terrorism and added that he believes he did the right thing when he banned administrative detention for Jews.
5. PM Netanyahu and His Wife Depart on a Visit to Hungary
PM Netanyahu and his wide departed earlier this week for a four-day visit to Budapest, Hungary. The extended visit is taking place during a time of political unrest in both countries, as Hungarian PM Orban is facing public protests following the law that bans gay pride parades in Hungary, and as PM Netanyahu decided to renew fighting in Gaza while 59 hostages are still held in Hamas captivity.
This is Netanyahu’s first trip to Europe since the ICC in the Hague issued an arrest warrant against him in November of 2024. On the day of Netanyahu’s arrival in Budapest, the Hungarian government announced that it had decided to withdraw from the ICC, citing the “politicization” of the court as the reason.
During his visit, Netanyahu will meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as well as with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky and President Tamás Sulyok. According to Israeli sources, one of the topics to be discussed between Orban and Netanyahu is the relocation of the Hungarian embassy to Jerusalem, although this goes against EU policy, of which Hungary is a member.