Yahya Sinwar was prominent Palestinian political and militant leader, known for his leadership role within Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic political and militant group primarily active in the Gaza Strip. Sinwar was considered one of the most influential figures within Hamas, particularly in its military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
Background:
Born: 1962 or 1963, Khan Younis, Gaza Strip.
Role in Hamas: Yahya Sinwar was one of the founding members of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military arm of Hamas. He played a significant role in organizing armed resistance against Israel.
Arrest and Imprisonment: In 1988, Sinwar was arrested by Israeli authorities for his involvement in terrorist activities, including the killing of Palestinian collaborators. He was sentenced to four life terms in prison. However, in 2011, he was released as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal, in which Israel released over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the captured Israeli soldier.
Political Leadership: After his release, Sinwar rose to prominence within Hamas’ political leadership. In 2017, he was elected as the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, consolidating both political and military power. This marked a shift towards a more hardline leadership within the group.
Views and Actions: Sinwar has been a vocal advocate for continued armed resistance against Israel and has rejected diplomatic solutions that don’t meet Hamas’ conditions. His tenure has seen multiple escalations in violence between Gaza and Israel, including rocket attacks and military confrontations.
Yahya Sinwar’s leadership has been marked by a firm stance on resistance against Israel, and he remains a key figure in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He was also seen as a bridge between the political and military wings of Hamaswas
Death scene
At some point between 2pm and 3pm on Wednesday October 16, 2024 , a patrol from the Bislach Brigade training unit of the Israeli army was conducting searches of the Tal as-Sultan neighbour hood in Rafah. They saw a small group of fighters moving between buildings, one of whom was later identified as Sinwar. Using drones to help pinpoint the fighters’ locations, the patrol exchanged fire with the group, killing three fighters. One fighter moved into a damaged building, and the patrol sent a drone after him. Defiant to the end, Sinwar, who was injured and resting in a damaged armchair, threw a stick at the drone that was searching the building to find the last masked fighter. The building was then shelled by tanks and missiles, killing Sinwar. His body remained undisturbed for some time as the soldiers were afraid of booby traps, and waited until the area had been secured.
Death Confirmation
Sinwar’s body was then taken to a laboratory in Israel where police confirmed a match with his dental and fingerprint records, taken during his previous imprisonment.