Ex-Negotiator: Hamas Considered Major Kidnapping Before Oct. 7

A former commander of the IDF's negotiation unit revealed that mediators between Israel and Hamas had warned that a stalemate in hostage talks would lead the terror group to consider a significant offensive. Colonel (res.) Doron Hadar stated in an interview with Kan News that the understanding was that without a hostage deal, Hamas would have no choice but to undertake a "game-changing move" to alter its situation.

Hadar, who participated in the pre-October 7 negotiations over hostages held by Hamas, explained that messages were received over the years from various mediators indicating that if progress wasn't made on a deal, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was considering a large-scale kidnapping operation to gain leverage.

These revelations come amid public controversy surrounding a reported "warning call" that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly received from the President of the United Arab Emirates prior to October 7. The report, published by the newspaper Haaretz, reignited questions about warnings Netanyahu may have received from various sources before the massacre.

Netanyahu has denied the report, calling it a "false fabrication timed for political reasons." The UAE President reportedly warned the CIA director of an impending escalation before the attack.