Tel Aviv: Micha Kobi, a former senior official of Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet, has revealed that Hamas does not know where the hostages are in the Gaza Strip. Micha Kobi had interrogated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in an Israeli prison. He is considered an expert on matters related to Hamas. He said that the headquarters of Hamas is no longer operational. But, there are still other guerrilla fighters, fighting on behalf of the organization throughout the region. They have set up space in ruined buildings and are carrying out attacks from there. He even said that no one in Hamas knows where all the hostages are kept.
No one in Hamas knows the whereabouts of the hostages
Coby added: “Someone may know the location of one or two, but I don’t think there’s anyone who knows the location of all of them.” According to him, Hamas is not interested in releasing the hostages, and there is no one to talk to. He claimed that there is ”no such thing as a deal” from Hamas. They want to blackmail and they are blackmailing Israel mercilessly.
Try to get information by paying money
Kobi insisted on a creative solution to obtain information about the hostages. He said, “We need to give money to those who return the hostages. After Sinwar was killed, they talked about this idea – but it was not implemented. We need to go in the direction of intelligence operations and help those families. We need to turn to those who know something so that they can bring information about the hostages in exchange for money.” He highlighted that Hamas operates from a ruthless position of power and is unwilling to cooperate or reveal details about the situation of the hostages.
Hamas control over humanitarian aid
According to Kobi, Hamas completely controls humanitarian aid sent to the Gaza Strip, making residents dependent on this terrorist organization. He said, “As soon as a humanitarian truck arrives with food, Hamas takes control of it, takes all the equipment and sells it to the residents of Gaza for black money. It reaches a situation where a Cigarettes cost Rs 200.” Kobi believes that humanitarian aid should be taken over and distributed directly to residents: “Once we do that, residents will be less dependent on Hamas.”
How Israeli hostages came into captivity of Hamas
Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and took about 251 people hostage. Women, elderly and children were also included in this. The terrorists had taken these people with them to different areas of Gaza Strip. Half of these hostages are foreign nationals or have citizenship of more than one country. As of 28 August 2024, 117 hostages had been returned alive to Israel. Of these, 105 were released in a deal with Hamas, four were released unilaterally by Hamas and eight were rescued by the Israeli military (IDF). Apart from this, Israel also found the bodies of 37 hostages, out of which three died in the firing of the Israeli army. According to Israel, 73 hostages reportedly died on October 7 or in Hamas captivity.
Time.News Interview with Micha Kobi: Insights from a Former Shin Bet Official on the Hostage Crisis
Time.News Editor (TNE): Welcome, Micha Kobi, and thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. Your insights into Hamas and the ongoing hostage situation are invaluable. To start with, you mentioned that Hamas does not know where all the hostages are being kept. Can you elaborate on that?
Micha Kobi (MK): Thank you for having me. Yes, my interactions with Hamas leaders, particularly Yahya Sinwar, have led me to conclude that while some members may have knowledge of individual hostage locations, there is no comprehensive understanding of where all hostages are. It’s a significant challenge, as the command structure of Hamas is fragmented.
TNE: That’s quite alarming. So, if Hamas itself is not aware of the hostages’ locations, what does that mean for the potential for their release?
MK: It complicates matters significantly. Hamas is not interested in negotiating for the release of the hostages—they are using them as leverage. I would argue that there is no one within Hamas with whom meaningful negotiations can take place. Instead, they are engaging in a strategy of blackmail against Israel, and that severely limits any prospects for dialogue.
TNE: So it seems that traditional negotiation approaches may be futile. You’ve suggested a more creative method for securing information about the hostages. Can you share your thoughts on that?
MK: Certainly. One approach we should consider is incentivizing the local population to provide information on hostages. This could be implemented through financial rewards for those who assist in bringing them home. This idea gained some traction after Sinwar’s death, but unfortunately, it was not acted upon. It’s essential that we direct our intelligence operations toward motivating individuals who may have information to come forward.
TNE: This strategy sounds intriguing. What challenges do you foresee in implementing such an approach?
MK: The biggest challenge is operating in an environment of fear and mistrust. Many people are intimidated by Hamas and may be reluctant to cooperate due to fear of retribution. However, if the families of hostages are visibly supported and encouraged, it may change the dynamics. Building trust within the community could facilitate information flow.
TNE: It’s a complex scenario, no doubt. Given that the headquarters of Hamas is no longer operational, where are these guerrilla fighters currently carrying out their activities?
MK: They have adapted by using ruined buildings and other less secure locations to launch their attacks. This decentralization makes them harder to track and adds to the risk for the hostages, as it’s likely that they are being moved frequently.
TNE: With this fluid operational structure, how does the Israeli intelligence community adjust its strategies to deal with such unpredictability?
MK: The Israeli intelligence community is constantly evolving. They employ various techniques, from traditional surveillance to technology-based methods, to adapt to the changing tactics of groups like Hamas. However, given the current state, it remains a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, with information being the key currency.
TNE: Before we wrap up, Micha, what’s your message to the families of the hostages and the public who are anxiously waiting for updates?
MK: I empathize deeply with the families; their pain is immense, and I can’t stress enough the importance of community support during such trying times. While the situation is dire, we must keep advocating for creative solutions and leverage our intelligence capabilities effectively. Hope is crucial, and we need to collectively strive for the safe return of the hostages.
TNE: Thank you, Micha Kobi, for sharing your insights with us today. Your experience offers a unique perspective on a challenging situation, and we appreciate your time.
MK: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial we continue these conversations as we seek effective solutions.