Israel had the opportunity to take out Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas chief Yahya Shinuwar after, but decided against it for fear of harming the hostages, the N12 news network revealed in a report on Sunday night.

According to N12, Israel received information that provided the only opportunity to kill Sinuar, but it was decided that such an operation was too risky, as hostages were being held in the same area as the leader of the terrorist group.

Sinwar, who succeeded Ismail Haniya as Hamas leader after his assassination in Tehran, is believed to be hiding in tunnels under Gaza. The Hamas leader reportedly used the hostages as human shields so Israel would not harm him.

Besides, according to a Saturday report by Al Arabiya, Yahya Sinwar relocated to the Gaza Strip after learning of the Israeli airstrike that killed Hassan Nasrallah.

Disputes over the fate of Sinuar

This report came despite reports last week of Sinuar’s possible death. The IDF said last Sunday that it could neither confirm nor deny reports of the Hamas leader’s death. However, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Service) disputed this theory, believing that Sinuar is still alive.

Earlier on Sunday, the IDF spokesman posted a photo depicting a diagram of the Hamas leadership, with a question mark over Sinwar’s name, suggesting the IDF is unsure of his whereabouts, or whether he lives.

It is noted that a Palestinian group announced that three of its leaders were killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) announced that the leaders were killed in the attack that targeted the Kola district of Beirut.

The neighborhood was hit early Monday morning, according to the Associated Press.

The Israeli military has not confirmed it is behind the attack.