Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has contacted Qatari mediators again about the ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement with Israel, a few weeks after he was rumored to have been killed in an Israeli raid.
Channel 12 quoted a source as saying that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had cut off contact with Qatari mediators because he believed that Israel was not interested in reaching an agreement.
This has fueled speculation that Mr. Sinwar was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. He is believed to be the “brain” behind the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and Israel.
At that time, Israeli security and intelligence agencies made efforts to investigate and determine Mr. Sinwar’s condition. They found no evidence that leader Sinwar was dead.
Since earlier this week, Mr. Sinwar has resumed contact with Hamas negotiators in Qatar.
It is unclear what the Hamas leader’s return means for the stalled ceasefire and hostage-return talks between Hamas and Israel. A senior Israeli official said it appeared Sinwar had not softened his stance on the deal.
Hamas has demanded that Israel withdraw all its troops from Gaza and end the conflict permanently. However, Israel has rejected any deal that would allow Hamas to retain control of Gaza and rebuild its military strength.
Furthermore, according to Qatari officials, Israel’s continued campaign to assassinate Hamas leaders also makes reaching an agreement difficult.
Israel shows no signs of ending its military campaign in Gaza anytime soon, even though the fighting has left some 41,000 Palestinians dead there.
