"Hamas Supreme Leader Demands Guarantee of Life as Condition for Ceasefire"

Yahya Sinwar, the top political leader of the Palestinian armed group Hamas, reportedly demanded guarantees for his life and safety as a condition for a ceasefire with Israel, Israeli media outlet Ynet reported on the 22nd (local time).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the report, during talks between ceasefire mediators, an Egyptian official conveyed this to U.S. authorities. Ynet stated that this means Israel must promise not to carry out an assassination attempt on Sinwar after the agreement.

Sinwar assumed leadership of Hamas after Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, was assassinated in Tehran, the capital of Iran, on the 31st of last month. He was the mastermind behind last year's surprise attack on Israel, and Israel is determined to eliminate Sinwar. He disappeared after initially taking refuge in tunnels at the start of the war.