Israeli Shin Bet Chief Runs Secret Channel with Hamas to Advance Hostage Talks

Following the killing of six hostages in a tunnel in Rafah in August 2024, Israeli Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar initiated a covert communication channel with Hamas to break the deadlock in hostage negotiations. The secret talks, conducted with the knowledge and approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, aimed to bypass delays caused by Qatar's mediation efforts, which had become obstructive.

A senior Shin Bet official, identified only as 'A,' managed dozens of phone calls with senior Hamas figure Ghazi Hamad. These conversations, often intense and heated, involved clarifying red lines and negotiating terms directly, with Bar himself occasionally on the line. According to a security source familiar with the talks, "Witkoff brought Netanyahu, we brought Hamas," highlighting the direct Israeli-Hamas engagement.

The secret channel was established due to frustration within professional ranks over Qatar's ineffective mediation. The direct dialogue ultimately led to a breakthrough that enabled the release of hostages. The Shin Bet official emphasized that these calls allowed them to "defuse obstacles" and circumvent Qatar's stalling, which had become a disruptive factor in the process.

The existence of these secret negotiations was revealed by the Israeli news program "Ulpan Shishi" on August 28, 2026, marking a significant development in the complex efforts to secure hostage releases amid ongoing tensions in the region.