In early 2023, Israel’s special forces, known as the 98th commando division, discovered a hidden compound in the tunnels beneath southern Gaza. This place had a kitchen, sleeping areas, and even a bathroom decorated with a picture of a beach sunset. But whoever had been living there had just escaped.

For nine long months, Israel was on the lookout for Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas and the mastermind behind the deadly attacks on October 7, 2022. Despite their advanced technology and i...