Rishon LeZion: An Israeli court extended on Thursday the detention of two aides of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for another day over suspicions of receiving money from Qatar to allegedly promote its image as a mediator in Israeli media.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court agreed to extend the arrest of Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein by an additional 24 hours, rejecting a police request to extend it by seven days. The investigation has revealed discrepancies in the testimonies of the suspects in the case, which has been dubbed 'Qatargate' by the Israeli media.

The Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that one of the two aides lied during his interrogation, although it did not specify which aide. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Netanyahu criticized the investigations against his aides, calling the accusations ridiculous.

Additionally, Jerusalem Post Editor-in-Chief Zvika Klein was released from house arrest on Thursday after being questioned over connections to the case involving Netanyahu's aides. Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara indicated that two other journalists might also be questioned in relation to the case.

There has been no official comment from Qatari authorities regarding the Israeli accusations.