Ronen Bar

The former head of the Shin Bet is advising SpringAI, a Tel Aviv-based digital intelligence startup that develops tools to identify political influence attempts online. The scope of the consulting, its start date, and terms are unknown. The company is linked to the BNF technology group of Brigadier General (res.) Rami Ben-Efraim.

Direct contacts to advance a hostage deal were conducted between a senior Shin Bet official and Ghazi Hamad of the Hamas leadership. Now revealed for the first time: the person who conducted the talks is the official responsible for captives and missing persons in the organization, Adi Rotem. In an interview, he tells about the secret channel, the criticism of the mediators, and clarifies...

A security source reported that the long-standing channel with senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad was renewed after October 7 and assisted in negotiations for the release of hostages. Hamad also served as a contact point during the negotiations for the Gilad Shalit deal.

In an interview with Galei Israel radio, Minister Maya Golan claimed that Shin Bet head Ronen Bar sent emissaries to threaten her over her decision to halt budget allocations. The minister stated she was warned of an “intifada in her name.”

After the uncle of the Shin Bet chief demanded 500,000 shekels in compensation, alleging a smear campaign, the legal dispute against Haaretz has officially concluded following a mediation process.