Israel’s attorney general’s office said an indictment against Netanyahu aide Yonatan Urich would be filed in a Tel Aviv court following a hearing process with his legal team.

According to a letter sent to Urich’s lawyers and reviewed by AFP, prosecutors intend to charge him with transmitting classified information, possession and transfer of classified materials, and destruction of evidence.

The investigation centers on the alleged leak of a classified document linked to Israel’s war in Gaza in 2024, in violation of Israeli military censorship regulations.

The leaked material was reportedly used to reinforce Netanyahu’s public position that Hamas was not genuinely pursuing a ceasefire agreement and that hostages seized during the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks could only be freed through sustained military pressure.

Israeli authorities have already indicted two former Netanyahu advisers, Eli Feldstein and Ari Rosenfeld, in connection with the same case.

The legal pressure surrounding Netanyahu’s inner circle has intensified in recent months amid multiple investigations linked to the government’s conduct during the Gaza conflict and allegations involving foreign lobbying.

Urich is also among the figures implicated in the so-called “Qatargate” affair, in which several close Netanyahu associates are suspected of working to promote the interests of Qatar within Israel while Doha played a central mediation role in hostage and ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Qatar has hosted senior Hamas officials for years and has frequently acted as an intermediary in indirect negotiations involving Israel, Hamas and international mediators during the Gaza war.

Israeli media reports have alleged that a consulting firm headed by Urich, a former spokesperson for Netanyahu’s Likud party, was hired to improve Qatar’s international image ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Separately, Israeli prosecutors said earlier this week they were considering charges against Netanyahu’s former chief of staff Tzachi Braverman for alleged fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of justice related to the classified document leak investigation.

The case adds to mounting political and legal scrutiny surrounding Netanyahu’s administration as Israel continues military operations in Gaza and faces growing domestic divisions over the handling of the war and hostage negotiations.

The measures expand enforcement powers under the Hong Kong national security law, introduced by Beijing in 2020 following large-scale pro-democracy protests in the financial hub.

The latest amendments mandate that individuals hand over “any password or other decryption method” needed for police to access electronic devices believed to contain evidence.

The rules apply not only to those under investigation for national security offences but also to individuals who own, possess, or are authorized to access the relevant devices, as well as anyone with knowledge of the required passwords or decryption tools.

Failure to comply constitutes a criminal offence, marking a shift from previous practice, where refusal to unlock devices was not treated as obstruction.The amendments were formulated under the direction of Chief Executive John Lee in coordination with the National Security Commission.

A government spokesperson said the measures aim to ensure that activities endangering national security can be “effectively prevented, suppressed and punished,” while safeguarding the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organizations.

Hong Kong has further strengthened its legal framework with an additional security law enacted in 2024, complementing the broader legislation imposed after the 2019 unrest.