Ex-Shin Bet Official Claims Secret Talks Held With Hamas Leader Sinwar

Mika Kobi, a former senior Shin Bet official, revealed on Tuesday that there were "certain contacts" with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar prior to the October 7th attacks. Speaking on Radio Galey Israel, Kobi suggested that these contacts were part of an effort towards a "settlement" or "arrangement" with Hamas.

Kobi referenced comments made by Mira Shoshani, a former senior Shin Bet official responsible for the Hamas counter-terrorism division, on the morning of October 7th. Shoshani reportedly said, "What happened to Yahya Sinwar? We were on the way to an arrangement." Kobi interpreted this statement as indicative of prior negotiations, stating, "One won, one lost in these contacts." He declined to elaborate on the nature of these contacts, citing the sensitivity of the information.

Kobi also mentioned that Shoshani reported receiving a call from the head of the operations room on October 7th, who stated, "This is a drill." Kobi believes Shoshani did not reveal the full truth about her actions and the basis for her belief it was a drill, suggesting she "blurted out" the information he is now sharing.

He criticized the timing of these revelations, suggesting they are being strategically released as part of a "dirty election campaign" aimed at discrediting Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government. Kobi accused an unnamed "junta" of managing this campaign, implying that information about intelligence failures was deliberately withheld until the election period.

Kobi's statements come amid ongoing discussions about intelligence failures leading up to the October 7th attacks. Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar reportedly admitted personal failure shortly after the war began, but Kobi questions why these specific details about contacts with Sinwar were not discussed earlier.