Hamas Leader Sinwar's Attack Warning Delivered by Fatah Official

Soufian Abu Zayda, a senior Fatah official and former Palestinian Authority minister for prisoner affairs, revealed that he was the intermediary who conveyed a warning to Israel about Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's plans for a major attack. Abu Zayda, identified as the source known as 'Coal Eyes' in a Haaretz investigation, stated in a Facebook video that he would soon share details of the message Sinwar asked him to deliver to the Israeli side.

Abu Zayda disclosed that he facilitated discussions between Israel and Hamas over the past year and a half, aiming for a hostage deal. The proposed terms included the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the lifting of the Gaza blockade, the entry of workers, and the resolution of humanitarian issues like electricity and water, in exchange for Israeli hostages and bodies held by Hamas. Israel, he noted, linked these demands to the release of prisoners and bodies in its possession.

The Haaretz investigation, by journalists Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, detailed how 'Coal Eyes' acted as a go-between in secret talks earlier in 2023 for a long-term arrangement in Gaza. By September 2023, sensitive issues remained, including the release of Avraham Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, and the return of the bodies of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, for which Sinwar initially demanded 500 Hamas prisoners, later reducing the number. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the negotiations, and Sinwar severed direct contact in early September.

Sinwar then met with 'Coal Eyes' directly, issuing a stark warning: "Tell the Israelis that if they don't move forward, I am preparing a huge surprise for them. Tell them to expect 'Zilzal' (earthquake)." Troubled by the threat, 'Coal Eyes' consulted a close friend, a Palestinian who had emigrated from Gaza to Abu Dhabi and advised UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. Fearing for his life and the potential regional impact, 'Coal Eyes' decided to relay the warning through this advisor to bin Zayed.

Following a second meeting with Sinwar in mid-September, where the Hamas leader reiterated his threat of an "immense operation, something extraordinary," the advisor relayed the message to bin Zayed. Recognizing the severity of the threat, bin Zayed arranged for the warning to be conveyed to the highest levels in Israel. On September 15, 'Coal Eyes' and the advisor delivered the alert to the Shin Bet. Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar subsequently informed Prime Minister Netanyahu of Sinwar's threats, leading to a security discussion. When Israel appeared unresponsive, bin Zayed personally called Netanyahu in late September, a week and a half before October 7, to convey Sinwar's intentions.