Earlier this year, “Israeli” forces were minutes away from catching Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar in the underground tunnels of the Gaza Strip – as claimed by the head of the “Israeli” army 98th division Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus.

Asked in an interview with Hebrew Channel 12 on how close the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) came close to capturing Sinwar, Goldfus said: “It was hot…We were in his compound. We got to an underground compound.”

“What does that mean?” The Channel 12 interviewer asked.

“We found a lot of money there. The coffee was still hot. Weapons strewn around.”

“So it was minutes after he’d left?”

“Minutes, really,” Goldfus claimed.

Read more: Iran sends message to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar

Earlier in February, the IOF released a one-minute-long camera footage of inside a tunnel in Khan Younis which shows Yahya Sinwar with his wife and three children, in addition to another unidentified person.

After being chosen to lead the Hamas political bureau succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, Sinwar reportedly sent a message to the mediators that “Israel” must first halt its military operations in Gaza before Hamas engaged in the ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations.

“Israel” is unlikely to agree to Sinwar’s demand, as it has previously declared its commitment to achieving its main objectives: defeating Hamas and securing the return of captives – The Wall Street Journal’s report said.