Israeli Soldier and Civilian Indicted for War Bets Using Classified Intelligence

Indictment Filed in Classified Military Betting Case

An Israeli reservist soldier and a civilian have been indicted on charges of using classified military intelligence to place bets on future military actions. The indictments, made public on Thursday, February 12, 2026, follow a joint investigation by the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the domestic security service Shin Bet, and the Israel Police. The Tel Aviv District Court lifted a gag order, allowing details of the case to be released.

According to authorities, the reservist, who had access to sensitive operational intelligence through his military role, allegedly shared this information with the civilian. The pair then used this classified data to place wagers on Polymarket, a U.S.-based prediction market website.

Serious Charges and Security Concerns

The charges against the two individuals include serious security offenses, bribery, and obstruction of justice. While the identities of the accused have not been publicly disclosed, officials emphasized that neither defendant holds a senior position within the defense establishment.

The Israeli defense establishment has strongly condemned the actions, stating that engaging in such gambling activities based on confidential information poses a 'real security risk' to IDF operations and national security. A joint statement from the investigating agencies highlighted the severity of the acts attributed to the defendants.

Details of the Alleged Betting

Reports indicate that the bets were placed on various military operations, including the timing and likelihood of Israeli strikes. Israeli public broadcaster Kan had previously reported that security agencies were investigating claims of such bets, specifically mentioning wagers related to an Israeli strike on Iran in June 2025. One anonymous user on Polymarket reportedly made a profit of approximately $150,000 from betting on Israeli operations during a 12-day conflict, which is believed to be linked to the June 2025 conflict with Iran.

Despite the gravity of the ethical breach, the Israeli military stated that its investigation found 'no operational damage' was caused during the current incident. However, the military underscored that the incident represents a 'severe ethical failure and a clear crossing of a red line,' inconsistent with the values expected of its members. Authorities have indicated that measures will be taken and procedures reinforced across all IDF units to prevent similar occurrences.