The United States and Israel believe Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is hiding underground in the Gaza Strip, but killing him could endanger the lives of nearby hostages, Washington said. The Post reported on Monday.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and US intelligence believe that Shinwar is hiding somewhere in a network of tunnels beneath the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis. according to It was addressed to officials from both countries who responded to interviews with the Post. The challenge is not to find Shinwar, but how to deal with him next. Attempting to kill him could threaten the lives of several nearby hostages, who he uses as human shields. (Related: IDF releases video purporting to show Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar inside a tunnel days after October 7th attack)
“The important thing is not to find him, but to do something.” [without jeopardizing the hostages] a senior Israeli official told the Post.
🔴Another network of terrorist tunnels in Gaza was discovered by IDF forces passing under a hospital and university. It stretches for more than 10 kilometers between northern and southern Gaza.
This network of tunnels is used by Hamas terrorists to move between different parts of Gaza. pic.twitter.com/3mWOiuMVDC
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 26, 2024
The newspaper said many Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, believe that killing, capturing or neutralizing Shinwar is absolutely essential to ending the war with Hamas. There is debate over whether killing Sinwar would end the war, but it could at least cripple Hamas' operational capabilities and ensure a major Israeli victory.
In addition to the risks involved in killing Sinwar while he was surrounded by hostages, there was also the difficulty of navigating the tunnel where Sinwar was believed to be, the paper said. Hamas operates a vast network of tunnels that extend hundreds of miles beneath Gaza, and clearing and destroying them requires significant time and resources.
The United States is working with Israel to plan the tunnels and use available intelligence and information gathered during interrogations of captured terrorists to determine Hamas' next actions, officials told the Post. Ta. Some information is also collected by his IDF soldiers who recover items in the tunnels, such as computer hard drives and administrative files.
Shinwar apparently left some items behind in the tunnel. The Israel Defense Forces collected some of his clothing and handwritten notes, the paper said. In early February, the IDF released footage purporting to show Mr. Sinwar navigating through a tunnel under Khan Younis on October 10 with his wife and children.
The newspaper said it was unclear whether Sinwar was in a position to lead Hamas as he remained in hiding. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed in early February that Sinwar was “not conducting military operations, but engaging in personal survival.”
The Israel Defense Forces did not respond to requests for comment.
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