Maj.-Gen. (res.) Yoav “Poli” Mordechai, a former senior IDF officer involved in Israel’s Gaza war hostage affairs, has been questioned in the expanding “Qatargate” investigation over suspected contacts with foreign agents and illicit campaign financing. The scandal, which has rocked political and intelligence circles, centers on alleged covert efforts to enhance Qatar’s image in Israel’s political discourse and discredit Egypt’s mediation efforts during ceasefire talks.

According to Channel 13 and The Jerusalem Post, Mordechai is suspected of transferring hundreds of thousands of shekels from his business, NOVARD, to Yonatan Urich—a Netanyahu adviser and the investigation’s main suspect—allegedly to fund a covert campaign supporting Qatar’s position in the Gaza hostage negotiations.

Mordechai was previously the coordinator of government activities in the territories and IDF spokesperson, and has since played a key role in hostage affairs during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

The police are also investigating whether Urich and another aide, Eli Feldstein, channeled Qatari talking points to journalists, presenting them as Israeli intelligence insights. Feldstein faces multiple charges including bribery, leaking classified documents, and undermining Israel’s national security.

A Blow to Netanyahu’s Inner Circle

With both Urich and Feldstein closely tied to Likud and Benjamin Netanyahu’s communications apparatus, the case threatens to politically damage Israel’s right-wing leadership. The allegations suggest that key figures in Netanyahu’s orbit may have knowingly compromised national interests in exchange for Qatari influence and funding.

Qatar has denied involvement in any such campaign. Israeli authorities have not ruled out additional arrests as the investigation expands.