Hamas chief Sinwar out of touch ‘for weeks’ on hostage-truce deal, but Israel doesn’t believe he’s dead — official

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) holds a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, July 13, 2024 (Dudu Bachar/POOL/Flash90); Hamas's leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar attends a rally marking Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day in Gaza City, April 14, 2023. (Mohammed Abed / AFP)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) holds a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, July 13, 2024 (Dudu Bachar/POOL/Flash90); Hamas's leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar attends a rally marking Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day in Gaza City, April 14, 2023. (Mohammed Abed / AFP)

NEW YORK – There are ongoing attempts “all the time” to move hostage talks forward, says a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s entourage, adding that Mossad chief David Barnea is traveling regularly to move things forward.

The focus is on issues that are less controversial, in order to create some small measure of momentum, the official says. One example is the formula for exchanging hostages for Palestinian security prisoners.

But Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been out of touch “for weeks,” says the official. Israel asks Egypt and Qatar to get answers from Hamas, and they simply do not respond.

Still, Israel does not assess that Sinwar is dead.

But if he is killed, “we believe it will help us reach a deal,” the official adds.

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