 "Yahya Sinwar. File Photo")
A previously unseen Hamas document, reportedly written in the Spring of 2024 and having been personally approved by the terror group’s leader Yahya Sinwar, has revealed details about the psychological warfare campaign carried out by the group since it kidnapped 251 hostages, mostly civilians, during its October 7 massacre in southern Israel.
According to a Times of Israel report, citing German newspaper Bild, the document reveals that Hamas is abusing the Israeli hostages held in Gaza to improve its position in hostage-ceasefire negotiations and put pressure on the enemy.
The Hamas document was found on Sinwar’s computer, added the report.
However, the report does not mention details as to how the document was passed on to the German publication.
“Continue to exert psychological pressure on the families of the prisoners, both now and during the first phase (of the ceasefire), so that public pressure on the enemy government increases,” the report quoted Bild as saying from the Hamas document.
Since October 7, the terror group has on regular basis released videos of hostages criticising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and pleading for his help in securing their release.
“During the negotiations for the second phase, Hamas will allow the Red Cross to visit some of the prisoners as a gesture of goodwill and to convey messages to their relatives,” the document is quoted as saying.
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More ShortsThe report, citing Bild, notes that the document does not address the Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt, which is believed to be a sticking point in ongoing indirect negotiations.
The document also indicates that Hamas is not aiming for a quick end to the war in Gaza but is deliberately prolonging hostage-ceasefire negotiations to intensify pressure on the government and “exhaust” the military, added the report.
According to The Jerusalem Post, citing Bild, Hamas has listed significant demands for Israel, including the release of 100 prisoners and terrorists serving life sentences in Israeli prisons.
The report further notes that many of the document’s key points focus on strategies to influence the international community and advance the reconstruction of Hamas’ military capabilities.
The document references a “political maneuver,” suggesting that Hamas negotiators should propose that “Arab forces be stationed along the eastern and northern borders” with Israel.
This is intended to “serve as a buffer to prevent the enemy from entering Gaza after the war ends until they (Hamas) have reorganised their ranks and military capabilities,” added the report.
Hamas is reportedly insistent that Israel should be blamed for the failed negotiations.
The document states that if Israel rejects a deal proposed by the US, “the media must be made aware that Hamas agreed, but that the deal failed due to ‘Israel’s stubbornness.’”
Hamas should not be “held responsible for the failure of an agreement,” the report quotes the document as saying.
With inputs from agencies