Hamas responds to Gallant's statement amid speculation of Sinwar's arrest

Hamas responded to a statement by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in which he claimed the group was seeking a replacement for Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the terrorist group in the Gaza Strip, who has ceased communication.

"The occupiers' attempts to fabricate information about our leader Yahya Sinwar are ridiculous. Their goal is to boost the morale of the army and the Zionist entity, which is on the verge of collapse. This is nothing but blatant psychological warfare," said an official representative of the group.

The response, published on the Hamas website Palestine Information Center, alleges that Israel is trying to divert attention from its failure to apprehend any of the movement's leadership.

Meanwhile, rumors are circulating in the region, with blogger Abu Ali, who specializes in Middle Eastern topics, suggesting that Sinwar has already been captured by the Israelis. A photo circulating on social networks shows a man resembling the Hamas leader in shorts, blindfolded, and guarded by Israeli soldiers.