An Israeli official has suggested offering safe passage out of Gaza to Yahya Sinwar, a prominent Hamas leader, in exchange for the release of all hostages currently held in the Palestinian enclave.
Gal Hirsch, Israel’s Coordinator for Hostages and the Missing, spoke with CNN’s Jessica Dean on Sunday, outlining the proposal. Hirsch stated that if all 101 remaining hostages are returned, Israel might be willing to allow Sinwar, whom he referred to as “the new Hitler,” and his associates to leave Gaza safely. “I even believe that we will agree to build safe passage to the chief terrorist, the new Hitler, Sinwar – safe passage to him and whoever he wants to join him out of Gaza,” Hirsch noted.
Hirsch emphasized that this potential agreement, coupled with efforts to “demilitarize and deradicalize” Gaza, could contribute to ending the conflict and aid in rebuilding the region.
Further expanding on this proposal, Hirsch told Bloomberg on Tuesday that Israel has already put forward the idea of safe passage to Sinwar. “I’m ready to provide safe passage to Sinwar, his family, whoever wants to join him,” Hirsch stated in the interview. He stressed that Israel’s primary goals include retrieving the hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, and removing radical elements to pave the way for a new governance system.
Hirsch revealed that the offer of safe passage was made approximately a day and a half ago, but did not disclose any response from Sinwar or Hamas. He also indicated that Israel might consider releasing prisoners it holds as part of a broader agreement.
Sinwar, a key figure in Hamas, is accused by Israel of orchestrating the October 7 attacks in which militants killed 1,200 people in Israel and took over 250 hostages. U.S. prosecutors have also charged Sinwar and other Hamas leaders in connection with the assault.
Recently, Hamas named Sinwar as the new head of its political bureau, following the assassination of former political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Sinwar is believed to be hiding within the extensive network of tunnels beneath Gaza, frequently moving and possibly using hostages as human shields, according to U.S. officials. Sinwar has not been seen in public since the attacks on October 7.
