Hamas leader claims he was ‘duped’ into interview

At first glance, a rare interview with Hamas leader Yehiya Sinwar, which was set to be published yesterday on the front page of an Israeli daily newspaper looks like a bold attempt by Gaza’s rulers to reach out for peace, or at least calm ongoing tensions with Israel.

A small excerpt from the interview published on Thursday on the news website of the Yedioth Ahronoth appears to ask Sinwar why he decided to give an interview to an Israeli newspaper, to which he answers: “Because now I see a true opportunity for change.”

He also says, “A new war is in no one’s interest, certainly not our interest,” and “I don’t want any more wars.”

But within hours of the excerpt appearing online, Sinwar’s office released a statement saying the journalist, Francesca Borri, had interviewed him under false pretences. It insisted the Hamas leader would never knowingly agree to be interviewed by an Israeli media outlet. Borri, a freelance journalist from Italy, told the Washington Post that she was completely transparent in all her dealings with Hamas.

Sinwar’s statement came as he faced a backlash in Gaza for defying Hamas restrictions on speaking to Israeli publications.