Israel warned of potential Hamas kidnapping operation in years before October 7

Mediators between Israel and Hamas had warned that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was considering launching a major kidnapping operation for years before the October 7 massacre, Col. (res.) Doron Hadar told Kan News on Thursday. Hadar, who participated in negotiations over hostages held by Hamas before October 7, said that mediators said that the stalemate would lead Hamas to consider a major attack. “The understanding was that in the absence of a hostage deal, there would be no other choice, and Hamas would take a game-changing step to alter its situation,” he said.“Over the years, we received messages, including from the various mediators, that if we did not make progress toward a deal, Sinwar was considering launching a major kidnapping operation in order to obtain other assets,” Hadar said, although he gave no indication that any specifics were given in any of the warnings.