The article discusses Yahya Sinwar, a prominent Hamas leader with a notorious past, including his role in torture and execution as head of the organization’s secret service. It details his imprisonment, his planning of attacks from prison, and how he rose through Hamas ranks after his release. The piece also reflects on his recent leadership during the devastating October 7 attack on Israel and concludes with insights on Sinwar’s impact on Palestinian identity and current political dynamics, emphasizing his controversial yet significant role in the ongoing conflict.
A six-page handwritten document from the Israeli military justice system details the interrogation of Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar dated February 8, 1999. At 36 years old, Sinwar had already spent eleven years in prison. Prior to his incarceration, he led the Hamas secret service unit Majd, which enforced Islamist moral codes through severe punishments. He was serving four life sentences in the Negev desert for executing fellow Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel. During an interrogation, Sinwar confessed to planning the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier from prison.
Sinwar collaborated with Mohammed Sharatha, another Hamas commander and fellow prisoner. They became cellmates in 1997, with Sharatha serving a lengthy sentence for his involvement in the kidnapping and murder of two Israeli soldiers. Despite his past, Sharatha displayed no regret for his actions but expressed distress over a family matter concerning his sister in Gaza, who was perceived as dishonoring their family. Sinwar offered to send a message to Sharatha’s brother regarding the situation, which apparently led to her demise.
The Prison as an Academy
Sinwar viewed prison as an opportunity to understand his adversaries better. He learned Hebrew, consumed Israeli media, and studied the works of significant Zionist figures. Despite a lengthy sentence, he anticipated his eventual return to the fight. In 1998, he and Sharatha devised a plan to kidnap an Israeli soldier, believing that doing so would force Israel to negotiate for the release of Palestinian prisoners. They intended to send the soldier to Egypt to prevent Israel from rescuing him. Sinwar sought the approval and financial backing of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas, who consented to the plan.
However, the Israeli authorities arrested one of Sharatha’s brothers while he attempted to initiate the plan, rendering the kidnapping plot ineffective. Nevertheless, the transcripts from Sinwar’s interrogation provided insight into future events that would unfold.
Return to Gaza
In 2006, Hamas executed a successful operation by killing two Israeli soldiers and capturing 19-year-old Gilad Shalit. Shalit was held for years in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including Sinwar and Sharatha. Upon his return to Gaza, Sinwar quickly ascended to leadership within Hamas. He was at the forefront during the significant attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which is considered the most destructive assault on the nation in decades.
Following this attack, Sinwar reportedly took refuge in the extensive tunnel network beneath Gaza. It is believed that he played a critical role in negotiating hostage situations and ceasefire agreements. Initially thought to be hiding in Khan Yunis, Sinwar possibly fled to Rafah as Israeli forces closed in, using discreet methods of communication to avoid detection.
A Cold “Shalom”
On October 7, an 85-year-old peace activist named Yocheved Lifshitz was taken hostage. After her release, she recounted that Sinwar had greeted her casually, showing no real remorse for his actions. Another hostage, Adina Moshe, described her uncomfortable interactions with Sinwar in the tunnels, portraying him as indifferent and overly relaxed in a tense situation.
Sinwar is a well-recognized figure among Israelis and Palestinians alike, particularly following a widely circulated photograph of him taken in 2021, where he appeared defiant amidst the ruins of his home.
Sinwar’s Life Story
Born in 1962, Sinwar grew up in the Khan Yunis refugee camp after his family fled their home during the 1948 war. He later penned an autobiographical novel reflecting his upbringing and the mindset of his community during the tumultuous history in which they lived. The story intertwines personal narratives with significant historical events, revealing the stark realities faced by Palestinians.
The Path to Islamism
Sinwar’s novel explores not only his own experiences but also the fractured identities within his family, addressing the different approaches of various resistance movements. He increasingly aligned with growing Islamist ideologies as the conflict with Israel intensified.
Yassin’s Influence
Sinwar became a follower of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, an influential Islamist leader, who was instrumental in founding Hamas. Under Yassin’s guidance, Sinwar developed a ruthless reputation, leading efforts to discipline any perceived betrayal within the community.
The Road to Imprisonment
Despite claims of brutality, interpretations of Sinwar’s actions vary. Many reports indicate that colluding with Israeli authorities was met with severe consequences, including torture and execution. Sinwar was arrested in 1988 but showed no fear in custody,