Security official after attack from ‘senior source’: Netanyahu himself set mandate for hostage talks

After a “senior source” attacked security chiefs previously involved in the negotiations for the hostage-ceasefire deal, an unnamed security official says the agenda for those talks was in fact set by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The one who set the mandate all along was the prime minister himself. The summaries and outline agreed upon in phase one were approved by the prime minister, who approved and was involved in each of the stages of the process,” the unnamed official tells Hebrew-language media.

Earlier today, a “senior source” said any delays in the implementation of the agreement were due to the actions of Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, with whom Netanyahu has sparred throughout the negotiations. Talks will now be led by Netanyahu confidant Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said the statement “from the Prime Minister’s Office” citing the “senior source” was “cowardly.”