{
  "id": 6735962,
  "title": "Israel warned of potential Hamas kidnapping operation years before Oct. 7, IDF col. claims - report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/israel-warned-of-potential-hamas-kidnapping-operation-years-before",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T09:38:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-908375"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "According to Col. (res.) Doron Hadar, mediators between Israel and Hamas had repeatedly warned that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was contemplating a major kidnapping operation years before the October 7 massacre. Speaking to Kan News on Thursday, Hadar noted that these mediators conveyed to Israel that if a hostage deal couldn't be reached, Hamas would resort to such a drastic measure to alter its circumstances.\n\nHadar, who played a role in negotiations concerning hostages held by Hamas prior to October 7, explained that the Israeli side understood that a failure to secure such a deal would prompt Hamas to take an extraordinary step. \"The understanding was that in the absence of a hostage deal, there would be no other choice, and Hamas would take a game-changing step to alter its situation,\" Hadar stated. He emphasized that these warnings were recorded, though he did not disclose any specific details.",
  "summary": "Col. (res.) Doron Hadar, who participated in negotiations over hostages held by Hamas before October 7, told Kan that mediators said the stalemate would lead Hamas to consider a major attack.",
  "key_points": [
    "IDF colonel Doron Hadar claims Israel warned of Hamas kidnapping operation.",
    "Warning issued years before Oct. 7 massacre, according to Hadar.",
    "Mediators informed Israel of potential drastic measure if hostage deal failed."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Israel's failure to act on prior warnings from mediators that Hamas would pursue a major kidnapping operation if a hostage deal wasn't reached implies a missed opportunity to prevent the October 7 massacre.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Singapore",
        "title": "MHA refutes claims that the death penalty was discussed during visit by Israel's security ministry",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/mha-refutes-claims-that-the-death-penalty-was-discussed-during-visit",
        "published": "2026-09-11T10:25:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}