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

Former Palestinian Minister and Israeli affairs researcher Dr. Sufian Abu Zaida revealed his involvement in indirect communications between Israel and Hamas that lasted approximately 18 months before the October 7, 2023, attack. He stated that during this period, he conveyed a message from Yahya Sinwar, then Hamas's Gaza leader, to the Israeli side.

Abu Zaida shared in a video on social media that he would disclose further details about these contacts and their participants in the coming days. According to his account, the discussions focused on the possibility of a deal involving Israeli hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Proposals reportedly included releasing Israeli captives in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, alongside measures to ease restrictions on Gaza and improve living conditions.

The communications also addressed other civilian and humanitarian issues, such as allowing Gazan workers into Israel, resolving electricity and water crises, and enhancing life in the Strip. Abu Zaida indicated these matters were linked to the issue of Israeli hostages and soldiers' bodies held in Gaza.

While Abu Zaida mentioned Sinwar tasked him with delivering a message, he did not disclose its content, the recipients, or the exact date of delivery, promising more information in a future media appearance. This comes amid renewed discussion about pre-October 7 indirect channels and whether they contained warnings of Hamas's intentions.

Previous Israeli media reports mentioned a message from Sinwar reaching Israel before the attack, which officials reportedly interpreted as related to prisoners, not a specific warning. These reports did not identify the intermediary. Israeli activist Gershon Baskin, previously involved in indirect talks with Hamas on prisoners, also spoke of prior contacts and exchange proposals, though his account is separate from Abu Zaida's.