In a startling development, Israeli intelligence sources have reported that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, has emerged from his underground hideouts and is now moving about the enclave disguised as a woman. This information, first published in the British newspaper "Daily Express," suggests a significant shift in Sinwar's evasion tactics.
Shalom Ben Hanan, a former senior official in Israel's Shin Bet security service, offers insight into Sinwar's strategy. "He's learned from past Israeli assassination attempts," Ben Hanan explains. "Sinwar now limits his time in any single tunnel to no more than 24 to 36 hours. He's aware that even underground, our technological capabilities can pinpoint his location."
A high-ranking source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that intelligence services now believe Sinwar is operating in plain sight. "The hunt for him has shifted to a combination of advanced technology and human intelligence," the source stated.
This revelation comes on the heels of a New York Times report detailing Israel's use of specialized radar equipment in their efforts to neutralize the Hamas leader. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, confirmed that American special teams are assisting Israel in this high-stakes manhunt. The U.S. has provided sophisticated ground-penetrating radar to map Gaza's extensive tunnel network, estimated to span hundreds of kilometers.
The collaborative effort between U.S. and Israeli forces has established dedicated channels for sharing intelligence on Sinwar and other top Hamas officials. This pooled information, combined with data from captured Hamas militants and seized documents, has allowed for a comprehensive mapping of the underground labyrinth.
Sinwar's evasion techniques reportedly include a long-standing avoidance of electronic communications. However, U.S. sources indicate that in the early stages of the conflict, he did use cellular and satellite phones to communicate with other Hamas leaders from within the tunnels.
In a strategic move that sparked controversy, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant pushed for allowing fuel shipments into Gaza during the war's initial phase. The rationale, now revealed, was to keep the cellular network operational in the tunnels, enabling continued interception of Sinwar's communications.
Gallant's decision faced strong opposition from far-right members of Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition. While the New York Times report doesn't name specific individuals, it's widely understood to refer to Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
The situation remains fluid, with both Israeli forces and Hamas leadership adapting their tactics in this high-stakes game of cat and mouse.