10/17/2024–|Last updated: 10/17/202407:55 PM (Mecca time)
Journalist Elias Karam said that the photos leaked by Israeli soldiers of the body of the head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), Yahya Sinwar, “exposed Israel’s narrative by claiming that the latter is afraid and in an underground tunnel.”
Karam explained that Al-Sanwar – according to the leaked photos – was wearing his military uniform, armed, and may have been engaged when he was targeted, “which harms major security information.”
The journalist – who was speaking to Tel Aviv Tribune from Ramallah – added that the leaked photos of Sinwar’s body confirm that he was amid the rubble of an above-ground building while wearing his military uniform, indicating that a tank shell targeted this building after gunmen were spotted in it.
Journalist Karam did not rule out blaming the Israeli soldiers who leaked Sinwar’s photos “and subjecting them to an internal investigation after they damaged sensitive security information,” nor did he rule out “stripping them of their military ranks and throwing them in prison.”
He said that the assassination of Sinwar was a “major security event, and it was supposed to be highly confidential,” but the Israeli occupation soldiers were the ones who leaked this sensitive information.
Karam stated that the official Israeli announcement will be delayed, because it is linked to conducting a DNA test and matching it with the medical record in the prison service, where Al-Sinwar was held captive for more than two decades.
He stressed that “it is not known when the assassination of Sinwar took place,” suggesting that it “took place last night and came by pure coincidence, and not on the basis of intelligence.”
What’s next?
Elias Karam believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu He may quickly call on mediators to reopen the negotiation file to conclude a prisoner exchange deal with the movement agitation After the assassination of the head of its political bureau Yahya Al-Sanwar.
Karam explained to Tel Aviv Tribune that there will be great public and political pressure on the Israeli government, due to fears of the impact of Sinwar’s assassination on the file of detained prisoners, “because he was the one who controlled the file and was in charge of affairs in the Gaza Strip.”
He added that the ministers of the ruling Likud Party and religious parties would support any prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, indicating that they believe that the time has come to move forward in this direction.
He indicated that Netanyahu “may come down from the tree, and tonight he may call on the American administration and the Qatari and Egyptian mediators to quickly reopen the prisoner file,” explaining that he is forced to begin a rapid negotiation process.
He said that there are no justifications for Netanyahu to procrastinate further with the prisoner issue, anticipating an increase in popular and political pressure against him, in addition to being besieged by the Israeli negotiating teams and his political opponents.
Karam touched on the goals declared by Israel in its war against Gaza, which are to eliminate Hamas’ political and military leaders, undermine its military and governmental capabilities, and ensure that the Gaza Strip does not pose any threat to Israeli security, in addition to the return of detained prisoners.
Israel achieved two of the war’s goals: weakening Hamas authoritatively and governmentally and killing its leaders, and ensuring that the Gaza Strip does not pose a security threat to it, according to what Karam reported from Israeli media.
He added that the Israeli government is trying to reassure the families of the prisoners that none of the detained prisoners was next to Sinwar at the site of the clash.
He pointed out that Israel will hold a consultative meeting that “may change its approach to the war in Gaza,” adding, “The assassination of Sinwar may open a new window on some Israeli political announcement.”
Israeli Army Radio reported that the clash with Al-Sinwar took place in the Tal Al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah, and said that “he was wearing a military gear and was accompanied by another field commander,” while the Hamas movement has not commented on the official Israeli announcement yet.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galat, along with the chiefs of staff and the Shin Bet, are holding security consultations on the Gaza Strip border.
In turn, Israeli Channel 12 reported that the families of the prisoners expressed their concern about the fate of their relatives detained by Hamas in Gaza, adding that they are demanding to benefit from the killing of Sinwar to reach an immediate agreement to return their families.