The Jewish Chronicle reports that out of the 108 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza, only about 20 are alive and under Hamas's control. These captives are reportedly being used to surround Sinwar, providing protection for the Hamas leader who remains in hiding underground.
Intelligence sources told the Jewish Chronicle that Israel has had several opportunities to eliminate Yahya Sinwar after locating his hiding tunnels. However, these attacks were not authorized due to the danger posed to the hostages.
The remaining captives, both living and dead, are believed to be in the hands of smaller terror groups, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Mujahideen Brigades, the al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades, and the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. These groups have reportedly cut off contact with Sinwar and are rebelling against his instructions.
Security sources cited by the Jewish Chronicle suggest that these smaller groups have been planning a coup for months due to disagreements with Sinwar over the identity and numbers of Palestinian prisoners to be released in any hostage deal. While Sinwar prioritizes the release of Hamas prisoners, these organizations demand representation for prisoners from their own ranks. The smaller groups are also taking a harder line in negotiations, insisting on the release of all terrorists from Israeli jails, including 1,236 convicted murderers serving life sentences. They also oppose Israel's proposal to deport released prisoners from Gaza and the West Bank.
These internal Palestinian frictions have reportedly been a significant obstacle in reaching a hostage deal. The situation is further complicated by Sinwar's reliance on the captives for his own safety. The Hamas leader, in hiding since October 7, has reportedly surrounded himself with 22 living, handcuffed hostages, using them as protection against potential elimination by Israel.
Sinwar's main demands include ending the war, the withdrawal of the IDF from the entire Gaza Strip, and American guarantees that Israel will not continue the war after a hostage deal is completed. He is also seeking assurances that he will not be eliminated once the hostages in his possession are released.
Another point of contention in recent talks is the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land between Gaza and Egypt used for smuggling. Hamas seeks control of this area to restore its military power, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes this, even at the risk of derailing a potential deal. Talks in Cairo have resumed, but a breakthrough remains elusive. Israeli sources believe Sinwar may be stalling, hoping for a wider regional war that would divert the IDF's attention from Gaza.
Meanwhile, Hamas is reportedly encouraging terrorist activity in the West Bank to further burden the Israeli army. Zaher Jabarin, a former prisoner released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit exchange, has been tasked with activating terrorists in the area, according to intelligence sources who spoke with the JC. Jabarin, currently operating from Turkey, is considered Hamas's top financier and is believed to be transferring large amounts of funds received from Iran to fuel terror in the West Bank.
