The Times of Israel on October 7 quoted several sources as saying that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had re-established contact with the mediators for the ceasefire-release of hostages in Qatar after weeks of silence, raising speculation that Mr. Sinwar may have been killed in an Israeli attack in the Gaza Strip.
This photo taken on December 14, 2022 shows Yahya Sinwar appearing before supporters in Gaza City, northern Gaza.
Mr. Sinwar cut off contact because he believed Israel was not interested in reaching a deal, according to unnamed sources familiar with the negotiations who spoke to Israel’s Channel 12.
Additionally, a senior Israeli official told the Walla news site that it appeared that Mr. Sinwar had not softened his stance on the ceasefire-hostage release deal.
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Hamas has demanded that Israel completely withdraw its troops from Gaza and end the conflict permanently, while Israel rejects any deal that would allow Hamas to retain control of Gaza and rebuild its military strength.
Sinwar’s long-term assessment that he would not survive a war in Gaza has been reinforced in recent weeks, The New York Times reported on October 5. He believes a regional war would force Israel to scale back its operations in Gaza, potentially eliminating the need to release hostages to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
Earlier, Channel 12 reported on October 4 that Israeli government ministers had largely put the hostage issue aside, as Israel has stepped up attacks on Hezbollah forces in Lebanon over the past two weeks.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thu-linh-hamas-noi-lai-lien-lac-lai-sau-tin-don-thiet-mang-do-israel-tan-cong-185241008144009901.htm
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