US investigates unauthorized release of confidential documents on Israeli attack plans

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is investigating an unauthorized release of classified documents assessing Israel’s plans to attack Iran, three U.S. officials told The Associated Press. A fourth U.S. official said the documents appear to be legitimate.

The documents are attributed to the US Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency and note that Israel continues to move military resources to conduct a military strike in response to Iran’s violent ballistic missile attack on October 1. Eyes”, which are the USA, Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

The documents, marked top secret, were posted online on Telegram and first reported by CNN and Axios. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The investigation is also examining how the documents were obtained — including whether it was an intentional leak by a member of the U.S. intelligence community or obtained through another method such as a hack — and whether any other intelligence information was compromised, one of the officials said. . . As part of that investigation, authorities are working to determine who had access to the documents before they were published, the official said.

The documents emerged as the US urged Israel to take advantage of the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and press for a ceasefire in Gaza, and also urgently warned Israel not to further expand military operations in northern Lebanon and risk a wider regional war. war. However, Israel’s leadership has repeatedly stressed that it will not let Iran’s missile attack go unanswered.

In a statement, the Pentagon said it was aware of the reports in the documents, but had no further comment.