Hamas leader Sinwar warned Israel of a pre-Oct 7 ‘earthquake’ and prison releases
A note allegedly dictated by Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar two weeks before Oct. 7, warning of an “earthquake” in talks and urging Israel to empty its prisons, was disclosed by intermediary Sufian Abu Zaida.
Palestinian mediator Sufian Abu Zaida, using the alias “Coal Eyes,” unveiled a handwritten note he claims was dictated by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on Sept. 14, 2023, and transmitted to Israel in both Arabic and Hebrew. The note warned of an “earthquake” in negotiations before the end of September and urged Israel to empty its prisons. Abu Zaida said he delivered the message immediately, after which Israeli officials confirmed its authenticity and convened an urgent meeting the next morning with senior negotiators Oscar and Adi Rotem.
The episode confirms a covert communication line that existed from March 2022, when Ghazi Hamad approached Abu Zaida, through September 2023, facilitating prisoner-exchange talks. Sinwar’s warning, however, was never acted upon; instead, the planned “cards” were placed on the “table of war” when Hamas launched its Oct. 7 assault.
