Israel has been indirectly negotiating with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar
Reports published by the New York Times reported that Israel was indirectly negotiating with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
According to the New York Times, after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel and the start of the war in Gaza, Israeli leaders described Yahya Sinwar, the highest-ranking Hamas official in the region, as a "dead man walking." Israel, while pointing out that he was the architect of the attack, had identified Sinwar's assassination as the main goal of its counterattack.
Given that more than 7 months have passed since the start of the Hamas-Israeli war, and Israeli officials have sought to assassinate Sinwar, they have been forced to negotiate indirectly with Sinwar in order to free the remaining prisoners. According to Hamas, Israeli and US officials, Sinwar has emerged not only as a commander but also as a shrewd negotiator who has prevented Israel from winning.
Some officials stated: "While the negotiations are being pursued with the mediation of Egypt and Qatar, Yahya Sinwar, who is reportedly hiding in a tunnel network under Gaza, is considered the main negotiator, and Hamas negotiators consider it essential to gain his approval before agreeing to any concessions."
"As the leader of Hamas in Gaza, Sinwar has more influence and power, but not the final say," said Musa Abu Marzouk. Hamas officials also stated that although Sinwar does not technically have influence over the entire Hamas movement, his leadership role in Gaza and his strong personality have given him extraordinary importance in how Hamas operates.
Salah al-Din al-Awuda, a Hamas member and political analyst who is also a friend of Sinwar, stated in this regard: "No decision can be made without consulting Sinwar. Sinwar is not an ordinary leader, he is a powerful person and the architect of many events, he is not a manager, but a leader."
American and Israeli officials believe that although Sinwar is younger than Ismail Haniyeh, the movement's highest-ranking civilian official, he played a key role in Hamas's behind-the-scenes decision to end the permanent ceasefire.
