Israel and US sharing intel on finding Sinwar, but efforts ‘very lopsided’ — NYT

Israel and the United States have invested a massive amount of resources into searching for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, but cooperation has been “very lopsided,” with Israel not giving much in return for American assistance, The New York Times reports, citing dozens of American and US officials.

According to the report, a special unit inside the Shin Bet security agency headquarters has been set up to intercept Sinwar’s communications. The October 7 mastermind has long given up sending messages electronically, instead relying on couriers, complicating the search.

To aid in the search, the US has reportedly provided Israel with “ground-penetrating radar.”

While a senior Israeli official tells the Times that the assistance has been “priceless,” the report cites a person familiar with the arrangement describing it as “very lopsided.” The US expects Israel to direct its intelligence efforts to finding American hostages in exchange for assistance, according to the source.

The report also notes how close Israel came to catching Sinwar when troops raided his bunker on January 31. The terror leader left in a hurry, leaving Israeli cash behind.

The discovery allowed intelligence services to “catch a glimpse” of Sinwar’s habits in hiding, including his regular consumption of Israeli media and the 8 p.m. news.