Report: Only 3 People Know Sinwar’s Current Hiding Place

By Yoni Weiss

Sources within Hamas have disclosed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, closely monitors the ongoing war developments and details of negotiations regarding a prisoner exchange.

According to the newspaper, Sinwar actively participates in discussions concerning potential deals.

“Only a very select few know his whereabouts,” the sources revealed, noting that this circle consists of “no more than two or three individuals who attend to his various needs and maintain his communication with other leaders of the organization.”

The sources elaborated, “The occupation forces [Israel] have been unsuccessful in targeting many top Hamas leaders, though attempts have been made. Some have sustained injuries, while others have escaped unscathed following airstrikes in various regions.”

Last month, Colin Clarke from the New York-based Soufan Group and the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, quoted by The New York Post, suggested that Sinwar likely remains hidden in Gaza, deeply entrenched within the tunnel network and surrounded by guards to ensure his safety.

“Sinwar prioritizes his personal survival,” Clarke remarked. “His primary objective is self-preservation, akin to a cornered animal.”

Clarke further indicated that Sinwar likely employs primitive communication methods, such as hand-delivered messages, to avoid electronic traces that could reveal his location.

Retired U.S. General and Institute for the Study of War chairman Jack Keane suggested that Sinwar may have relocated from Rafah to Khan Yunis in anticipation of an impending military operation by Israel in the southern Gaza region.