TEL AVIV — Israeli defense and intelligence officials believe the leak of highly classified Pentagon documents detailing Israeli plans to strike Iran was the act of a relatively low-level official critical of US policy on Israel, not a high-level attempt to thwart the operation. 

An Israeli attack on Iran was allegedly put on hold after a leak, published Oct. 18, that detailed preparations for the strike, including information on the fighter jets (F-35I) and munitions Israel planned to use, but provided no date. US officials confirmed the documents' authenticity to CNN last week. The papers were posted on a pro-Iranian Telegram account. 

The information leaked appears based on US analysis of secretly obtained images showing the munitions being deployed by Israel Air Force ground crews next to aircraft hangars and other preparations for an attack. The images demonstrate the vulnerability of Israel’s security system to the United States' extensive intelligence capabilities. 

"It is possible to deduce from these documents Israel’s force buildup and missile-launching capabilities, as well as the fact that every time someone at any Israeli air base opens a hangar, it is recorded and registered in Washington," a senior Israeli source told Al-Monitor after the first leak, speaking on condition of anonymity.