As optimism wanes regarding a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, messages allegedly sent by Yahya Sinwar, the military leader of Hamas in the area, to mediators claim that more fighting and increased Palestinian civilian casualties work in his favor. A recent message attributed to Sinwar, sent to Hamas officials negotiating with Qatari and Egyptian officials, stated, "We have the Israelis where we want them."
“Disregard and Indifference to Civilian Lives”
In dozens of messages reviewed by the Wall Street Journal, which Sinwar transmitted to negotiators and Hamas members outside Gaza, it is claimed that Sinwar demonstrated "disregard and indifference towards civilian lives." He also indicated in the messages that he believes Israel has much more to lose from the war compared to Hamas, with these messages shared by several individuals with different perspectives on Sinwar.
“Necessary Sacrifices”
In one message directed to Hamas leaders in Doha, the Hamas leader in the Strip referenced civilian losses in national liberation struggles in places like Algeria, where hundreds of thousands died fighting for independence from France, stating: "These are necessary sacrifices." Additionally, in a message dated April 11, addressed to Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh after the death of three of his sons in an Israeli airstrike, Sinwar wrote that their deaths and the deaths of other Palestinians "will invigorate this nation, pushing it to rise to a higher level."
It is noted that despite efforts by Israel to kill him, Sinwar has survived and meticulously managed Hamas's military operations, according to the newspaper, drafting and sending messages to ceasefire negotiators, indicating when the movement should escalate or deescalate its attacks. His ultimate goal appears to be achieving a permanent ceasefire that allows Hamas to announce a historic victory for standing firm against Israel and to demand leadership of the Palestinian national cause, according to the Wall Street Journal.
