BEIRUT — Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader credited with orchestrating the shocking attack on Israel, has become a central figure in the ongoing conflict in the region. Sinwar, 61, is known for his disciplined and authoritarian approach, having spent years in Israeli prisons where he learned Hebrew and studied his adversaries.
On Thursday, Israel announced that its forces had killed Sinwar, a claim confirmed by a senior Hamas political official on Friday.
Sinwar, often described as a secretive and formidable figure, was instrumental in planning the surprise assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This operation resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, and the abduction of approximately 250 others, shocking the Israeli military and intelligence community and undermining the previously held perception of Israeli invulnerability.
In the wake of the attack, Israel’s retaliatory measures have been devastating, with over 42,000 Palestinians reported dead according to local health authorities. The violence has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, displacing hundreds of thousands and pushing many closer to starvation.
Despite the turmoil, Sinwar engaged in indirect talks with Israel in an effort to end the conflict, aiming to secure the release of thousands of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. His leadership has strengthened Hamas’ ties with Iran and other regional allies, drawing Hezbollah into the conflict and prompting direct exchanges of fire between Iran and Israel.
To Israelis, Sinwar epitomized a severe threat. The Israeli army’s chief spokesperson labeled him a murderer, asserting that he demonstrated that Hamas is more dangerous than the Islamic State group.
Within Palestinian territories, Sinwar was admired for his defiance against Israel, particularly as he chose to remain in besieged Gaza rather than live abroad in comfort like some of his counterparts. However, he was also feared for his strict control over Gaza, suppressing any public dissent.
Born in 1962 in the Khan Younis refugee camp, Sinwar became one of the early members of Hamas when it was founded in 1987. He advocated for the removal of informants from the group, helping to establish a security arm known as Majd.
Sinwar’s political and militant career began following his arrest by Israel in the late 1980s, where he confessed to numerous violent acts, including the murder of individuals suspected of collaborating with Israeli forces. Many who interrogated him remarked on his chilling demeanor, even as he displayed charisma among fellow inmates, uniting them regardless of their political affiliations.
During his imprisonment, Sinwar wrote a novel detailing Palestinian society during pivotal historical events and played an active role in advocating for better prison conditions.
Following his release in 2011 in exchange for an Israeli soldier, Sinwar became a prominent leader within Hamas, coordinating between the organization’s political and military wings and pursuing a strategy to enhance its military capacity while cultivating alliances with groups like Hezbollah.
In 2017, he was elected leader of Hamas’ political bureau in Gaza, and he then worked alongside fellow leader Ismail Haniyeh in efforts to fortify the group’s military strength and align it more closely with Iran and its regional allies.