In the media: Hamas deputy leader Sinwar is a key figure in the Gaza hostage protocol 01928374656574839201

According to the Israeli Times on August 1, even though Israel has eliminated senior Hamas leaders and destroyed most of its infrastructure, Yahya Sinwar, the deputy leader of Hamas, is still alive and controls the fate of dozens of hostages in Gaza. Progress in reaching a hostage protocol has been slow in the weeks leading up to the attack on Haniya, and it is unlikely that Hamas will agree to anything in the near future. However, Haniya is just a mediator, and Sinwar ultimately decides what protocol terms Hamas will accept. His core interests still exist, and reaching a protocol with Israel is the best way for him to achieve personal survival and the survival of the Gaza organization.