Israel Denies Reports of Hamas Leader’s Escape to Egypt

Israeli authorities have dismissed a report from the Saudi news site Elaph, which claimed that Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza and a key figure in the October 7 attacks, has fled to Egypt through tunnels. The report, which suggested that Sinwar, along with his brother Muhammed and potentially other members of the terror group’s leadership, escaped to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, was countered by Israeli officials stating, “We do not know the information that was published.”

This denial came in response to the Elaph report, which cited a security source alleging that the Israeli defense establishment believed the Sinwar brothers had used tunnels from Rafah for their escape. Additionally, there was speculation that hostages might have been taken along to serve as a shield, although this report relied on a single source for its claims.

Complicating matters, the IDF had previously released footage dated October 10, showing Yahya Sinwar navigating through a Gaza tunnel accompanied by several family members. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari, in a press conference unveiling the footage, underscored the military’s commitment to capturing Sinwar, stating, “The hunt for Sinwar will not stop until we catch him, dead or alive.” Despite these efforts, Sinwar, along with Hamas’ military commander Mohammad Deif and his deputy Marwan Issa, remains at large.