Benjamin Netanyahu has moved to fire his spy chief after the Shin Bet intelligence agency launched an investigation into his aides.

Police and Shin Bet began the probe in February after an Israeli media expose suggested that two of Mr Netanyahu’s closest advisers, Yonatan Urich and Israel Einhorn, allegedly helped create a marketing plan to whitewash Qatar’s image ahead of the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

Eli Feldstein, Mr Netanyahu’s former spokesman, is also suspected of being paid by a private company contracted by Doha to feed journalists positive stories about the Gulf state while it was hosting Israel-Hamas hostage talks.

Mr Feldstein has been indicted in a separate case where he is accused of leaking classified material to the German newspaper Bild. He denies any direct or indirect ties with Qatar.

Shin Bet’s investigation into alleged improper ties between Qatar and Mr Netanyhau’s staff is under a 30-day gag order.

Mr Netanyahu said on Sunday evening that a lack of trust had made it impossible to continue working with Ronen Bar, who has led Shin Bet since 2021.