Shea Levin — text status

Weeks before the October 7 massacre, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar sent Israel a secret message warning of an approaching “earthquake” surrounding the issue of prisoners and hostages, according to Channel 12. Israeli security officials interpreted the message as referring to Hamas becoming involved in negotiations for the release of Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was being held in Iraq, rather than as a warning of a major Hamas attack. Even after the war, officials have not conclusively determined what Sinwar intended by the message.