Hamas Leader Sinwar’s status uncertain as Israel investigates death rumors

Israel is investigating unverified intelligence suggesting that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, may be dead, following military operations in Gaza, according to Israeli journalist Ben Caspit. Despite the intelligence, Israeli officials remain cautious, as the country’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, has rejected these claims, maintaining that Sinwar is alive.

Caspit, writing for the Walla news site, quoted an anonymous source who noted, “There have also been times in the past when he disappeared and we thought he was dead, but then he reappeared.” This statement reflects past uncertainties surrounding Sinwar’s status during previous military operations.

Barak Ravid, another prominent Israeli journalist, weighed in on the matter via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Israeli officials have dismissed the intelligence report as speculative. “It is all hopes and guesses which are based on the fact that Sinwar has been incommunicado in recent weeks,” Ravid quoted one official as saying.

The speculation surrounding Sinwar’s fate comes after a series of high-profile assassinations of Hamas leaders. Sinwar, believed to be the mastermind behind the October 7 attacks against Israel, has been notably absent from communication channels, raising questions about his whereabouts. In the past year, Israel has targeted multiple top Hamas figures, including the assassination of Muhammad Deif, the military wing chief, in July, and Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy Hamas chief, in a drone strike in Beirut.

On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) commented on the circulating rumors, stating they could neither confirm nor deny the reports of Sinwar’s death. Sources consulted by Israeli media outlet The Jerusalem Post offered mixed views on the situation. While one key source downplayed the possibility of Sinwar’s death, others emphasized that no specific operation aimed at killing Sinwar has been reported. Still, there are disagreements within the Israeli defense establishment on whether Sinwar’s silence signals a significant development.

Some speculate that Sinwar’s recent disappearance could be part of a broader tactic by Israeli officials to exert psychological pressure on Hamas. This theory suggests that Israeli officials may be using the ambiguity around Sinwar’s status to destabilize mid-level Hamas commanders, encouraging them to negotiate for immunity by returning Israeli hostages.

Similar rumors have surfaced before. In Dec. 2022, reports suggested that Sinwar had been killed, wounded, or fled to the Sinai Peninsula, only for him to reappear after a period of silence, fueling speculation that the rumors were part of psychological warfare by Israel.