Israeli prosecutors Thursday indicted one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aides, Eli Feldstein, for leaking classified information on Hamas and most likely harming national security, the latest development in a web of legal scandals that has entangled Netanyahu. Feldstein now faces a sentence of up to life in prison for leaking information which allegedly jeopardizes the security of the state.

The indictment states that the leak, given to German Newspaper Bild, was intended to affect public opinion surrounding the Israeli hostages held by Hamas, the cause of many protests in Israel. The tabloid’s recount of the leaked information stated that Hamas was “manipulating the international community, torturing the hostage families and seeking to rearm. And also that they are just as indifferent to a quick end to the war as they are to the suffering of Palestinian civilians.” Their indifference to the best interests of Palestinians, Bild alleged, was clear in documents which were said to belong to deceased Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, which stressed the importance of painting Israel in a negative light and “scapegoating” them for the failed hostage negotiations.

In the indictment, Feldstein’s texts stated that “the boss is happy” about the leak. The Times of Israel questioned whether this refers to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reaction, which Feldstein described as a “million dollar plan” according to the text messages.

The indictment details how Feldstein and the anonymous second defendant’s involvement in high-level Israeli politics began shortly after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Feldstein was employed as a Minister of National Security in 2023 and consistently handles classified and secret information and had direct contact with Netanyahu and Jonatan Urich, a spokesperson and press officer for Netanyahu. Feldstein’s consistent handling of classified documents was despite being declared ineligible to handle such documents, according to the indictment.