IDF Maj.-Gen. (res.) Poli Mordechai, 61, has been temporarily removed from his role in ongoing hostage and ceasefire negotiations related to Gaza for a period of two weeks. The decision, announced Sunday by Israel Police, follows an internal review connected to the broader “Qatargate” investigations.
Mordechai issued a statement Sunday emphasizing his adherence to the law, saying, “In all my years of service, I always followed the law to the letter and devoted myself to the State of Israel. So too, in this case – even though everything was transparent, I will aid authorities to reach the whole truth, which will prove my integrity.”
Last month, Mordechai was questioned in connection with allegations tied to the Qatargate probe, suspected of possible contact with a foreign agent and bribery. At the time, the military released an unusual public statement defending his role, clarifying that he “is beholden to the Hostages Management Unit, and does not engage in direct negotiations with the mediators. Nevertheless, his contributions are significant, sometimes even critical. Throughout the process, his professional stances have been brave and honest.”
Mordechai currently holds a senior position within the government’s Hostages Management Unit, which operates under IDF Maj.-Gen. Nitzan Alon. The unit was created to centralize all state efforts related to hostages, missing individuals, and returnees in a single coordinated framework.
The Qatargate investigations focus on the influence of Qatari interests and possible financial ties to associates close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The timing is particularly sensitive, given that Qatar has been one of the primary mediators between Israel and Hamas in negotiations for the release of 50 hostages still held in Gaza and in efforts to secure a ceasefire. Authorities are examining whether individuals acted under Qatari direction, raising concerns due to Qatar’s longstanding reputation as a regional supporter of terror organizations.
Netanyahu has maintained that Qatar is “not an enemy state.” The investigation began nearly a year ago following the arrest of Eli Feldstein, a former military spokesperson in the Prime Minister’s Office. Feldstein was accused of leaking classified documents to the German newspaper Bild after Israel’s military censor blocked their publication.
The leaked information eventually circulated back into Israeli media outlets, allegedly as part of a coordinated effort to influence public opinion surrounding hostage negotiations. The controversy came to a head around August 2024, when six hostages were tragically killed by Hamas captors in a tunnel: Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Almog Sarusi, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, and Alex Lobanov.
The investigation quickly expanded, pulling in additional figures. Among them are Netanyahu adviser Yonatan Urich, currently under restrictive detention, and senior aide Israel Einhorn, who resides in Serbia. Both are suspected of receiving significant financial compensation to shape narratives favorable to Qatar and weaken Egypt’s role in mediation efforts. Qatar has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Authorities suspect that Mordechai transferred hundreds of thousands of shekels from his private business to Urich during 2024 as part of a pro-Qatar campaign. Mordechai’s background includes serving as the head of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the military body overseeing civilian affairs in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as leading the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
After retiring from the IDF around seven years ago, Mordechai joined Novard, a company that positions itself as a bridge connecting global corporations to emerging markets across the Middle East, including Israel. Reports indicate that a former Mossad operative, also investigated in relation to Qatargate, was one of his partners at Novard.
Part of the suspicions involving Mordechai stem from activities linked to the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar. Authorities allege that Qatar funded a large-scale public relations initiative designed to improve its international image ahead of the tournament. Because Israel and Qatar lack official diplomatic relations, an intermediary company was allegedly used to facilitate these business dealings between Novard and Qatari representatives.
Investigators are also examining the role of the Third Circle, a firm led by pro-Qatar American lobbyist Jay Footlik. It is in this context that the alleged payments to Urich were reportedly made, alongside connections between Einhorn, his company Perception, and Qatari officials — links now central to the ongoing inquiry.
{Matzav.com}
