Israel offers safe passage for Yahya Sinwar in hostage deal

An Israeli official has proposed offering safe passage to Yahya Sinwar, a prominent Hamas leader, contingent upon the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza. Gal Hirsch, Israel’s Coordinator for Hostages and the Missing, stated that if the 101 hostages are returned, Israel would consider allowing Sinwar and his family to leave Gaza. This proposal is part of a broader strategy aimed at demilitarizing and deradicalizing the region to facilitate recovery and end ongoing hostilities. Hirsch emphasized that the safe passage offer was made recently, although he did not disclose Hamas's response. He indicated that Israel is also open to negotiating the release of prisoners it holds as part of any potential agreement. Sinwar is accused of orchestrating the October 7 attacks in Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of over 250 hostages. Since the attacks, Sinwar has remained elusive, believed to be hiding in the extensive network of tunnels beneath Gaza. His leadership role in Hamas was solidified following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the former political bureau head, just days before the attacks. The situation remains tense as Israel seeks to recover hostages while addressing the threat posed by Hamas. The proposal for Sinwar's safe passage reflects Israel's complex approach to negotiations, balancing the urgent need for hostages' return with long-term security concerns. The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact the future of Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.