On video: Gallant: "Sinvar hears the IDF tractors above him - and soon he will also meet the barrels of our guns"/Photo: Amir Malka
The security establishment estimates that the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, is beginning to show signs of stress under the fighting in the Strip.
"If he wasn't under pressure, he wouldn't be negotiating at all. He would sit quietly and do nothing," said a security official, adding, "We estimate that as the IDF deepens its grip on the area and stays there for a long time, the pressure will take its toll and perhaps they will find New hiding places." According to estimates by the Southern Command, the forces of Division 98 succeeded in locating hiding places in Khan Yunis where Sinwar was hiding.
Security system officials pointed to a change in terminology in the negotiations that began with a demand to release all the prisoners in exchange for all the abductees and a cessation of hostilities. After that, the demands of Hamas Focus on the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of all forces from the Gaza Strip After he realized that this was Israeli insistence on continuing the hostilities and disbanding the Hamas battalions - so far 19 out of 24 battalions have been disbanded - he began to compromise on an especially long truce including guarantees for the prevention of hostilities.
starting to show signs of stress.
Sinwar/Reuters
Sources in the security system made it clear that any request for a cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of troops from the Gaza Strip was met with one word: "No" absolutely.
Also, sources in the security establishment estimate that Sinwar understands that it will be difficult to refuse the two offers from the two mediators, the Egyptians and the Qataris, who offered compromises on his original request.
One of the sources estimated: "Sinwar is no longer interested in the prisoners, but in his personal survival and that of his people at the top. He has qualms about the Israeli proposal, but he will have a very hard time saying no to Egypt and Qatar."
Security officials also pointed to the developing tension between senior Hamas officials abroad, who have no difficulty in hardening their positions, while senior Hamas officials in Gaza, led by Sinwar, would like to take care of their survival and the future of their associates. One of the sources said: "Salah Aruri was killed and the senior leadership abroad still maintains a tougher position than Hamas in Gaza because they don't really pay a price except for the pressure the day after. That's why Sinwar manages tension not only with Israel and the mediators, but also with senior Hamas officials abroad, and that's why the negotiations are going to be difficult."
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The IDF is advancing in Khan Yunis and closing in on Sinwar: "When he realizes that the army is close, he will speed up the negotiations"
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"The maneuver is not affected by negotiations."
IDF fighters in the Gaza Strip, this month/IDF spokesman
Sources in the security system emphasized that, at the same time, the IDF is preparing for the continuation of fighting and the implementation of plans to motivate the population despite the fact that most Gazans have reached a sheltered area in the region.
In accordance with the latest security situation assessment held by the Southern Command, the 98th Division under the command of Brigadier General Dan Goldfus is advancing in the field cells according to the instructions of the General Staff of The IDF. "This is very sensitive ant work in search of strategic underground systems where senior officials of the political-military arm of Hamas are hiding and possibly also hostages.
there is progress.
There is infrastructure exposure, but it takes time and it is a complex operation, but we see improvement every day," said a security source, adding, "the maneuver of the 98th Division is not affected by negotiations.
He continues at the pace dictated to him and beyond.
We are increasing the pressure on Hamas in the region."
More on the same topic:
Yahya Sinwar
Gaza Strip
Hamas
Ismail Haniyeh
War of Iron Swords
Gaza war