While Ynet could not determine whether Netanyahu or his inner circle directed the circulation of Vahidi‘s alleged quote, the investigation pointed „to a series of familiar markers of disinformation distribution“.
It said that Netanyahu had faced similar accusations in the past.
In September 2024, Netanyahuâs office allegedly provided the UK-based Jewish Chronicle and Germany-based Bild newspaper with false information claiming that Hamas intended to smuggle Israeli captives through the Rafah area between the Gaza Strip and Egypt to Iran.
Two Netanyahu aides are also under investigation over allegations that classified documents were leaked to influence Israeli public opinion about military operations in Rafah.