Hamas leader spotted in tunnel; hostage negotiations at impasse

• Israeli officials release video allegedly showing the leader of Hamas.

• Video appears to show Yahya Sinwar walking with his family and brother.

• Israeli officials cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video.

An Israeli soldier holds a light inside a tunnel underneath UNRWA compound, where the military discovered tunnels in the main headquarters of the U.N. agency that the military says Hamas militants use

AP

Newly released video footage allegedly showing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, walking with his family inside a tunnel below the Gaza city of Khan Yunis, has been released. Israeli officials claim that the CCTV footage from October 10th is significant as it provides evidence of Sinwar's presence after the October 7th attacks. However, the authenticity of the video and its timing remains unverified as independent verification is yet to be conducted.

Israeli officials state that the video is part of their ongoing efforts to track down intelligence on Sinwar's whereabouts. Khan Yunis has been a focal point of the Israeli siege against Hamas in recent weeks, and Israeli forces have been actively searching the tunnels in the region. The existence of the video suggests that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continue to prioritize the hunt for Sinwar.

Meanwhile, negotiations for a potential hostage deal are underway with CIA Chief Bill Burns dispatched to Egypt. The talks involve the chief of Mossad from Israel and other mediators from Qatar and Egypt. U.S. officials describe the negotiations as productive and serious, but a significant gap between the parties regarding the number of Hamas prisoners to be released for each hostage remains unresolved. Past discussions on the matter proposed a three-to-one exchange rate, but Hamas is reportedly pushing for a larger number, which Prime Minister Netanyahu opposes.

There is still no clarity on Israel's timeline for entering Rafah or initiating a ground invasion. Israeli authorities state that they are awaiting government instructions before making any moves. Concerns are growing among the 1.4 million residents of Rafah, with some individuals leaving the area out of fear for their safety. International leaders, including the UN Secretary-General and foreign ministers from Germany and Italy, have expressed their worries about the potential consequences of such an operation, with the Irish Prime Minister even describing it as a possible 'bloodbath.'

In summary, Israeli officials have shared a video that allegedly depicts Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar walking with his family in a tunnel in Khan Yunis. However, the video's authenticity and timing have yet to be independently verified. Negotiations for a hostage exchange are underway, but a disagreement persists regarding the number of prisoners to be released. The exact timeline for a potential ground invasion into Rafah remains uncertain, while concerns about the potential humanitarian impact continue to grow among international leaders.