A senior American official stated on Wednesday that the United States has informed Israel that it will do everything possible to assist with its resources and capabilities to track down Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other Hamas leaders. The American newspaper "The New York Times" reported intelligence information predicting the whereabouts of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip, seven months after the devastating Israeli war in the region.
The newspaper cited American officials stating that "Sinwar is not in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip," confirming that these assessments align with Israeli intelligence agencies. It clarified that intelligence evaluations indicate that Sinwar has never left the network of tunnels beneath Khan Younis, according to unnamed American officials due to the sensitivity of the subject.
Previously, "The Times of Israel" reported from two officials familiar with the matter that recent intelligence assessments suggest Sinwar is located in underground tunnels in the Khan Younis area, about five miles north of Rafah, while a third official confirmed that Sinwar is still in Gaza.
The newspaper noted that Sinwar and his deputy, military wing leader Mohammed Deif, remain elusive, despite repeated claims from Israeli officials that the Israeli army has been tightening the noose around them. The officials speaking to the newspaper could not pinpoint Sinwar's exact location at this time, but referenced intelligence assessments suggesting he is currently in the tunnels in Khan Younis.
Hamas's extensive tunnel network extends deep beneath Khan Younis, reaching up to 15 stories in some places. Additionally, Sinwar is "also protected by a group of Israeli hostages whom he uses as human shields to deter Israeli forces from storming or bombing his location," according to claims by American and Israeli officials.
American officials are trying to persuade Israel to curb its military operation in Rafah and its surroundings, fearing civilian casualties that may result from a large-scale attack on the city, which has seen an influx of Palestinian civilians and Hamas militants, according to the newspaper.
American and Israeli officials do not believe that Sinwar, viewed as one of the architects of the attack on Israel on October 7, or other senior Hamas leaders are hiding in Rafah, some of them have conveyed, stating that the Biden administration has informed the Israelis that pursuing Sinwar should not be used as a justification for launching an attack on Rafah.
