An Israeli businessman based in the Gulf says he transferred money from a Qatari lobbyist to a top aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to recordings aired by the Kan public broadcaster. The businessman claims he made the payment for tax reasons and that the work was related to hostages. The investigation into the case, dubbed Qatargate, was launched following revelations that Netanyahu's former spokesman worked for Qatar via an international firm contracted by Doha to feed Israeli journalists pro-Qatar stories.