Ex-Palestinian Minister Claims He Carried Sinwar Message to Israel Before Oct. 7

A former Palestinian Authority minister, Dr. Soufan Abu Zaida, announced in a Facebook video that he will soon reveal details about secret contacts he facilitated between Israel and Hamas. Central to these revelations is a direct message he was asked to deliver to Israel from Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, shortly before the October 7th attack. Abu Zaida stated that these full details will be presented in the coming days, focusing on mediation efforts he conducted for about a year and a half before the war, aimed at achieving a humanitarian arrangement and a prisoner exchange deal.

According to Abu Zaida, the proposed deal involved Hamas releasing hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the lifting of the Gaza blockade, the entry of workers, and solutions for electricity and water issues. He also mentioned that the message from Sinwar to the Israeli side would be discussed, though he did not specify its exact content, whether it was a concrete warning, an ultimatum, or an alert about a broader escalation.

In separate security news, Hamdan Hamdan, a 32-year-old resident of Majd al-Krum, was arrested on suspicion of acting under the direction of an agent from Lebanon. The indictment is expected to be filed soon by the Coastal District Prosecutor's Office. Hamdan was apprehended in a joint operation by the Shin Bet and the National Bureau for Counter-Terrorism. The investigation indicates that Hamdan was in contact with the foreign agent for several months, carrying out security tasks as instructed, fully aware that the contact was with an agent operating from Lebanon. Payment attempts were made through purchasing goods in Israel.

In international news, the U.S. State Department announced its approval of a major arms deal with Saudi Arabia, valued at $24.3 billion, which includes 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and related equipment. The deal requires Congressional approval and is intended to enhance Saudi Arabia's defense capabilities and regional stability. The U.S. also allowed an Iranian delegation to participate in the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York, albeit with movement restrictions. Meanwhile, CBS reported that Iran downed at least two U.S. drones in recent days, according to U.S. officials, following a claim by the Revolutionary Guards of downing a U.S. drone near Qeshm Island.