On the elusiveness – Mark MazzettiRonen BergmanJulian E. Barnes and Adam Goldman in NYT:
‘American and Israeli officials said Mr. Sinwar abandoned electronic communications long ago, and he has so far avoided a sophisticated intelligence dragnet. He is believed to stay in touch with the organization he leads through a network of human couriers. How that system works remains a mystery.’
(…)
‘Unlike bin Laden in his last years, Mr. Sinwar is actively managing a military campaign. Diplomats involved in cease-fire negotiations in Doha, Qatar, say that Hamas representatives insist they need Mr. Sinwar’s input before they make major decisions in the talks. As the most respected Hamas leader, he is the only person who can ensure that whatever is decided in Doha is implemented in Gaza.
Interviews with more than two dozen officials in Israel and the United States reveal that both countries have poured vast resources into trying to find Mr. Sinwar.’
(…)
‘Killing or capturing Mr. Sinwar would undoubtedly have a dramatic impact on the war. American officials believe it would offer Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel a way to claim a significant military victory and potentially make him more willing to end military operations in Gaza.
But it is less clear what effect Mr. Sinwar’s death would have on negotiations for the release of hostages seized on Oct. 7. Removing him might make his successors far less willing to make a deal with Israel.’
(…)
‘As Gaza ran low on fuel, Mr. Gallant pushed for new shipments to Gaza to power generators needed to keep the cell networks running so that the Israeli eavesdropping could continue — over the objections of ultra right members of the Israeli government who wanted the fuel shipments cut off to punish the residents of Gaza.
During this period, the spy agencies gained glimpses of his life underground, including his voracious consumption of Israeli news media and his insistence on watching the 8 p.m. news on Israeli TV.’
(…)
‘But one person familiar with the intelligence-sharing arrangement, who discussed it on the condition of anonymity, describes it as often “very lopsided” — with the Americans sharing more than the Israelis give in return. At times, the person said, the Americans provide information about Hamas leaders in the hopes that the Israelis will direct some of their own intelligence resources toward finding the American hostages.’
(…)
‘Mr. Deif was the most senior adviser to Mr. Sinwar, but was less disciplined than his boss. He came above ground far more regularly, allowing Western intelligence agencies to pinpoint his whereabouts.
It was on one of those occasions, Israeli officials say, when he was killed in an airstrike.’
Read the article here.
It all boils down to this: victory image. See also here.
Sinwar and Netanyahu, they both have no exit game. See here.
What remains remarkable is Sinwar’s addiction to Israeli news. He has slowly but steadily penetrated the Israeli soul. He has almost become an Israeli himself.