Abbas Claims Netanyahu Told Him in 2021 He Understood Sinwar

During a private meeting in 2021, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Mansour Abbas that he and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar understood each other. Abbas, the chairman of the Ra'am party, disclosed this conversation on Tuesday during an interview on the N12 channel. He said the exchange took place at the prime minister's residence on Balfour Street while Operation Guardian of the Walls was underway. Abbas described his reaction to the comment as stunned, noting that he had not expected the head of the government to express such confidence in the Hamas chief.

Abbas recounted that Netanyahu asked him directly if he had seen a message Sinwar had sent. According to the Ra'am leader, the prime minister inquired, 'Didn't you see what he sent me?' Abbas stated he had no prior knowledge of the correspondence until that moment. The letter, which Sinwar sent through intermediaries, was written in Hebrew and included the phrase 'calculated risk.' It was part of earlier diplomatic contacts aimed at establishing an arrangement for the Gaza Strip. Abbas said the content of the letter had been disclosed previously as part of those efforts, but he learned of its existence directly from Netanyahu during their meeting.

This interview marks the first time Abbas has detailed the specific content of their conversation regarding Sinwar. He had previously acknowledged the frequency of his meetings with Netanyahu at Balfour Street during the 2021 operation. However, his current claims focus specifically on the dialogue about Sinwar, suggesting a deeper level of engagement between the two political figures than previously detailed.

Abbas used the interview to critique Netanyahu's conduct during the conflict. He argued that the trust placed in Sinwar led to a neglect of public safety. 'He trusted Yahya Sinwar, went to sleep at night, and abandoned the security of the citizens of the State of Israel,' Abbas said. He emphasized that the remarks stayed with him and influenced his views on accountability. Abbas explained that every time he thought about a state commission of inquiry, he told himself he had a duty to stand before the commission and share these details.

The revelation adds a personal account to the historical record of interactions between Israeli leadership and Hamas representatives during the 2021 escalation. It comes against the backdrop of political contacts that existed between the Likud and Ra'am parties during Operation Guardian of the Walls. Abbas's testimony provides new context for ongoing discussions about the leadership's approach to the conflict and the management of security affairs during that period.

Abbas stated that these statements reflect his version of the exchange. He said the specific words attributed to the prime minister and the details of the letter are based on his memory of the conversation. The Ra'am leader emphasized that he is providing this testimony to clarify the nature of the discussions that took place during a critical period of military engagement.