"Surrounded by 20 hostages:" New details on Yahya Sinwar's daily lifestyle

Former Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States Army General Jack Keane revealed more details about the whereabouts of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and said that he is surrounded by Israeli hostages whom he uses as human shields to protect himself and his family members from Israeli airstrikes.

According to a report on the 'Maariv' website, Keane told the SKYNEWS channel that: "My sources say that Sinwar, who is the number one leader in Gaza, has 15-20 hostages protecting him and his family."

"They have these hostages to ensure their survival." He also clarified that "Israel is absolutely right when it applies military pressure on them. Only pressure will make them release the abductees," added the general.

Head of the Israel's National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, revealed on Saturday evening that Israel has been very close to killing Sinwar and also said that a decision has already been made regarding an operation in the southern city of Rafah.

In an interview with "Meet the Press," Hanegbi said: "Has a decision been made on Rafah? It has. The Prime Minister instructed the IDF with the approval of all cabinet ministers to carry out the operation in Rafah. We are not letting the enemy know when we're going in, but I can tell you that it will begin very soon." Hanegbi also shared that the Chief of Staff had set a date for entry into the city and that it was postponed due to the escalation in the conflict with Iran.