www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-09-22/ty-article/.premium/israel-investigating-if-sinwar-wounded-killed-or-has-severed-contact-with-outside-world/00000192-1b33-ddf9-a9fa-7f7f3cba0000

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has not had contact with anyone outside his organization for an extended period. Sinwar has been hiding in Gaza’s tunnels since the massacre in southern Israel on October 7, trying to evade Israeli pursuit. 

For nearly 11 months, Sinwar maintained communication with his operatives outside the tunnels and, indirectly, with countries mediating a hostage deal with Israel, usually through intermediaries.

Recently, however, communication between Sinwar and the outside world has been cut off. This has further complicated the already difficult negotiations due to significant gaps between the parties’ positions.

Security officials told Haaretz that Israel has bombed tunnels in areas where Sinwar is believed to be hiding. However, they noted there is no clear evidence he was harmed, as no remains of his have been found. There have been previous instances during the war where Sinwar cut off communication.