Former PM Naftali Bennett Reveals Hamas Leader Sinwar Avoided Confronting Him

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated in a podcast on Walla News that the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar preferred not to face him directly. Bennett claimed he learned from two separate sources that Sinwar described him as "not normal" and favored Benjamin Netanyahu over Bennett. This revelation adds to Bennett's previous comments on News 12, where he said a planned operation to assassinate Sinwar was aborted due to political instability caused by the collapse of the government led by Bennett's coalition, specifically citing the role of MK Idit Silman.

In September 2021, a special command center was established to prepare for Sinwar's elimination, but IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi opposed the operation to avoid triggering a new round of fighting in the Gaza Strip. Kochavi maintained that Sinwar was deterred, a view that influenced the decision not to proceed. Bennett also suggested that had the assassination succeeded, Netanyahu would no longer be prime minister, implying significant political consequences.

These statements highlight the complex interplay between Israeli military decisions and political dynamics during Bennett's tenure, as well as the ongoing challenges in addressing Hamas leadership threats in Gaza.