Former Palestinian Authority minister Sufian Abu Zaida announced that he served as a liaison between Israel and Hamas for more than a year and a half prior to the Oct 7, 2023 conflict. In a video statement released on Friday, Abu Zaida said the contacts were intended to negotiate a deal for the release of prisoners held by Hamas.
Abu Zaida indicated that the discussions involved two Israeli civilians who had been detained by Hamas for several years before the recent hostilities erupted. He said the negotiations were conducted on behalf of Hamas political chief Yahya Sinwar, who tasked him with delivering a specific message to Israeli officials.
The former minister pledged to make public the exact wording of Sinwar’s proposal in the coming days, describing it as a “message” aimed at securing the freedom of the Israeli detainees. He did not disclose the content of the message in the initial video, but emphasized that the outreach was part of a broader effort to achieve a prisoner‑exchange arrangement.
Abu Zaida’s revelation comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian fallout of the Gaza conflict and the status of individuals held by both sides. The former minister’s role as an informal conduit highlights the complex channels through which Hamas and Israel have occasionally communicated, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations.
Middle East Eye reported that Abu Zaida’s statement could shed light on previously undisclosed back‑channel negotiations that pre‑date the large‑scale violence of October 2023. The minister’s forthcoming disclosure may influence both Israeli and Palestinian public discourse on the prospects for negotiated releases and broader cease‑fire talks.
No official response from Israeli or Hamas representatives has been reported at the time of writing. The development adds another layer to the intricate web of contacts that have historically been used to manage crises between the two parties.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/former-palestine-authority-minister-reveal-message-he-conveyed-sinwar.