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'''Yahya |
'''Yahya Sinwar''' ({{lang-ar|يحيى السنوار|translit=Yaḥyá al-Sanwār}}, born 1962, also called '''Yehya Al-Sinwar'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-bombs-hamas-gaza-chiefs-home-fighting-enters-seventh-day-2021-05-15/|title=Israel air strikes kill 42 Palestinians, rockets fired from Gaza|date=15 May 2021|website=Reuters}}</ref> and spelled '''Yehiya Sinwar''' or '''Yehiyeh Sinwar''') is the current [[Palestinian people|Palestinian]] leader of the organization [[Hamas]] in the [[Gaza Strip]], having taken over from [[Ismail Haniyeh]] in February 2017.<ref name="Beaumont">{{Cite news|last=Beaumont |first=Peter |title=Hamas elects hardliner Yahya Sinwar as its Gaza Strip chief |date=13 February 2017 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/13/hamas-elects-hardliner-yahya-sinwar-as-its-gaza-strip-chief |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213150750/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/13/hamas-elects-hardliner-yahya-sinwar-as-its-gaza-strip-chief |archive-date=13 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Balousha">{{Cite news|last1=Balousha |first1=Hazam |last2=Booth |first2=William |date=13 February 2017 |title=Hamas names hard-liner as its new political leader in Gaza |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/hamas-names-hard-liner-as-its-new-political-leader-in-gaza-/2017/02/13/b4e31518-f1f6-11e6-9fb1-2d8f3fc9c0ed_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215201209/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/hamas-names-hard-liner-as-its-new-political-leader-in-gaza-/2017/02/13/b4e31518-f1f6-11e6-9fb1-2d8f3fc9c0ed_story.html |archive-date=15 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was one of the co-founders of the security apparatus of Hamas.<ref name=state>{{Cite web |title=Terrorist Designations of Yahya Sinwar, Rawhi Mushtaha, and Muhammed Deif |publisher=United States Department of State |date=8 September 2015 |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/Prs/ps/2015/09/246686.htm }}</ref> He is the second most powerful figure within Hamas.<ref name="veconomist" >{{cite news|title=The Palestinians try to reconcile|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21730026-latest-effort-likely-fail-palestinians-try-reconcile|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=5 October 2017}}</ref> |
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In September 2015, Sinwar was [[Specially Designated Terrorist|designated a terrorist]] by the United States government,<ref name=state/> and Hamas and the [[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades]] have also been designated terrorist |
In September 2015, Sinwar was [[Specially Designated Terrorist|designated a terrorist]] by the United States government,<ref name=state/> and Hamas and the [[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades]] have also been designated terrorist organisations by the United States, the European Union and other countries and organisations{{By whom|date = May 2021}}. |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Sinwar was born '''Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar''' in 1962, in a refugee camp in [[Khan Yunis]], when it was under Egyptian rule, where he spent his early years. His family is from [[Ashkelon|Al-Majdal Asqalan]] (Ashkelon), moved to the Gaza Strip in 1948. After he graduated from high school at Khan Yunis Secondary School for Boys, he went on to the [[Islamic University of Gaza]] where he received a bachelor's degree in [[Arabic]] Studies.<ref name="paldf">{{Cite web|script-title=ar:نبذة عن حياة الأسير يحيى السنوار مؤسس الجهاز الأمني لحركة المقاومة الإسلامية حماس |trans-title=About the life of the prisoner Yahya Sinwar founder of the security apparatus of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas |date=15 April 2010 |language=ar |publisher=Palestinian Information Center |url=https://www.paldf.net/forum/showthread.php?t=602970 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624171302/https://www.paldf.net/forum/showthread.php?t=602970 |archive-date=2016-06-24 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ezzedeen">{{Cite web|title=Yehya Ibrahim Sinwar |publisher=Ezzedeen AL-Qassam Brigades |url=https://www.qassam.ps/prisoner-18-Yehya_Ibrahim_Sinwar.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902085758/http://qassam.ps/prisoner-18-Yehya_Ibrahim_Sinwar.html |archive-date=2 September 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==Career== |
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== Militant and political career == |
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Sinwar was first arrested in 1982 for subversive activities and he served several months in the [[Far'a]] prison where he met other Palestinian activists, including [[Salah Shehade]], and dedicated himself to the Palestinian cause.<ref name="paldf" /> Arrested again in 1985,<ref name="Balousha" /> upon his release he together with Rawhi Mushtaha co-founded the [[Munazzamat al Jihad w’al-Dawa]] (Majd) security organisation, which worked to, ''inter alia'', identify Israeli spies in the Palestinian movement,<ref name="Beaumont" /> and which in 1987 became the "police" of Hamas.<ref name="paldf" /> |
Sinwar was first arrested in 1982 for subversive activities and he served several months in the [[Far'a]] prison where he met other Palestinian activists, including [[Salah Shehade]], and dedicated himself to the Palestinian cause.<ref name="paldf" /> Arrested again in 1985,<ref name="Balousha" /> upon his release he together with Rawhi Mushtaha co-founded the [[Munazzamat al Jihad w’al-Dawa]] (Majd) security organisation, which worked to, ''inter alia'', identify Israeli spies in the Palestinian movement,<ref name="Beaumont" /> and which in 1987 became the "police" of Hamas.<ref name="paldf" /> |
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In 1988, he masterminded the abduction and killing of two Israeli soldiers and the murder of four Palestinian whom he suspected cooperating with Israel, for which he was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to four life sentences in 1989.<ref name="Balousha" /><ref name=state/> He tried to escape several times but was always caught. In 2008 while serving a prison sentence in Israel he was operated on to remove a tumor in his brain to save his life.<ref name="Ezzedeen" /><ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ar:قائد حماس بالسجون يحيى السنوار... خطط للهرب اكثر من مرة وعوقب بالعزل |trans-title=Imprisoned Hamas leader Yehia Sinwar ... planned to escape more than once and was punished with solitary |date=19 October 2011 |publisher=Maan News Agency |url=http://www.maannews.net/Content.aspx?id=429675 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215051848/http://www.maannews.net/Content.aspx?id=429675 |archive-date=15 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Sinwar served 22 years of his sentence, and was the most senior Palestinian prisoner freed among 1,026 others in a 2011 [[Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange|prisoner exchange]] for IDF soldier [[Gilad Shalit]], who had been held hostage by Hamas for five years.<ref name="Beaumont" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tv7israelnews.com/hamas-leader-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/|title=Hamas leader tests positive for coronavirus|first=TV7 news|last=editorial|date=2 December 2020|website=TV7 Israel News}}</ref> |
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Upon the invitation of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in 1987, Yahya Sinwar became a member of the Hamas organization. In his initial role, his primary objective was to combat what he perceived as "Non-Islamic" behaviors and practices. Sinwar's responsibilities encompassed the elimination of activities such as prostitution, pornography, drug-related offenses, and other morally objectionable conduct. He was charged with ensuring that the nascent Hamas adhered to higher moral standards in accordance with [[Sharia|Sharia law]]. |
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In February 2017 Sinwar was secretly elected Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, taking over from [[Ismail Haniyeh]]. In March, he established a Hamas controlled administrative committee for the Gaza Strip, which meant that he opposed any power sharing with the [[Palestinian Authority]] in [[Ramallah]]. Sinwar rejects any reconciliation with Israel.<ref name="Beaumont"/> He has called on militants to capture more Israeli soldiers.<ref name=state/> |
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Additionally, Yahya Sinwar was entrusted with the task of rooting out Palestinian individuals who were collaborating with Israel within the Palestinian community and, specifically, within the Hamas organization. His responsibilities included locating, apprehending, and subsequently executing these collaborators.<ref>{{Cite news |title=After Palestinian Escape, Israel’s Prison Chief Faces Moment of Truth |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2021-09-18/ty-article/.premium/after-palestinian-escape-israels-prison-chief-faces-moment-of-truth/0000017f-f0fd-d487-abff-f3ff86c80000 |access-date=2023-10-14}}</ref> However, a mere two months after his induction into Hamas, he was apprehended by Israeli security agents and subsequently received a prison sentence totaling over 420 years due to his involvement in the execution of Palestinians. Remarkably, even from behind bars, Sinwar persisted in his role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=ToI |title=Former jailer of Hamas head Sinwar: He’s a coward who used others for his dirty work |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-jailer-of-hamass-sinwar-hes-a-coward-who-used-others-for-his-dirty-work/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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In September 2017, a new round of negotiations with the Palestinian Authority began in Egypt, and Sinwar agreed to dissolve the Hamas administrative committee for Gaza.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/9/17/hamas-agrees-to-steps-towards-palestinian-unity|title=Hamas agrees to talks with Fatah, hold elections|website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref> More recently he has silenced hard-line voices in Gaza overruling the use of tunnels that [[Mohammed Deif|Muhammad Deif]] wanted to use to sneak fighters into Israel before they were shut down by new classified Israeli technology in 2017.<ref name="The Economist">{{cite news|title=The leader of Hamas in Gaza is the most influential man in Palestine|newspaper=The Economist|date=26 May 2018|url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2018/05/26/the-leader-of-hamas-in-gaza-is-the-most-influential-man-in-palestine}}</ref> |
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On 16 May 2018, in an unexpected announcement on Al Jazeera, Sinwar stated that Hamas would pursue "peaceful, popular resistance" opening the possibility that Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organisation by many countries, may play a role in negotiations with Israel.<ref name="The Economist"/> A week earlier he had encouraged Gazans to breach the Israeli siege, saying "We would rather die as martyrs than die out of oppression and humiliation", and adding, "We are ready to die, and tens of thousands will die with us."<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Halbfinger |first1=David M. |last2=Abuheweila |first2=Iyad |date=10 May 2018 |title=As Gaza Teeters on Precipice, a Hamas Leader Speaks Out |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/10/world/middleeast/gaza-protests-yehya-sinwar.html |access-date=25 September 2018}}</ref> |
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It is noteworthy that during his tenure, he was directly involved in the execution of 22 individuals, who had reportedly endured physical torture at his own hands, prior to their execution. Tragically, some survivors of this brutal treatment never fully recovered and were left with lifelong disabilities. 'The Butcher from Khan Yunis'.<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://news.italy24.press/trends/937009.html}}</ref> This chilling moniker was attributed to him due to his involvement in the torture and execution of individuals, including some who were not connected to Israel. |
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In March 2021, he was elected to a second four-year term as the head of Hamas Gaza branch in an election held in secret. He is the highest-ranking Hamas official in Gaza and Gaza's ''de facto'' ruler, as well as the second most powerful member of Hamas after Haniyeh.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yahya Sinwar|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/yahya-sinwar|access-date=2021-05-15|website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org}}</ref> |
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During his incarceration, although Yahya Sinwar was not directly involved in hostilities against Israel, he managed to attain a prominent status among Hamas prisoners, primarily owing to his familial ties to his brother, Muhammad Sinwar. Muhammad Sinwar gained notoriety for his involvement in the abduction of Gilad Shalit and holding him in captivity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=ToI |title=Brother of Hamas leader Sinwar: Firing rockets at Tel Aviv as easy as drinking water |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/brother-of-hamas-leader-sinwar-firing-rockets-at-tel-aviv-as-easy-as-drinking-water/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He went to great lengths by vowing to "Behead Gilad Shalit" unless his brother, Yahya Sinwar, was released. This declaration was well-known among Sinwar's fellow inmates, and it underscored his pivotal role in any negotiations or agreements with Israel. |
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On 15 May 2021, an Israeli airstrike was reported to have hit the home of the Hamas leader, there were no immediate details of any deaths or injured. The strike took place in the [Khan Yunis] region of southern Gaza in the midst of evergrowing [[2021 Israel–Palestine crisis|tension between Israelis and Palestinians]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/home-of-hamas-leader-in-gaza-said-hit-by-israeli-strike/|title=Home of Hamas leader in Gaza said hit by Israeli strike|first=Judah Ari|last=Gross|website=www.timesofisrael.com}}</ref> However, in the week that followed, he appeared publicly at least four times. The most obvious and daring thereof was in a press conference on 27 May 2021, when he mentioned (on air) that he will go home after the press conference (on foot), and invited the [[Benny Gantz|Israeli Minister of defense]] to take the decision to assassinate him in the following 60 minutes, until he reaches his home. Sinwar spent the next hour wandering in Gaza streets and having selfie photos with the public.<ref>{{cite news| script-title=ar:محلل إسرائيلي: أي عار هذا الذي نعيشه.. السنوار تجول في شوارع غزة وتحدى إسرائيل باغتياله ورسائله بكل اتجاه | trans-title=Israeli analyst: What shame is this what we live in .. Sinwar wandered in the streets of Gaza and challenged Israel by assassinating him and his messages in every direction| publisher=Aljazeera.net|access-date=2021-05-27 |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2021/5/27/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%84-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D9%8A-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%87%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%8A-%D9%86%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%B4%D9%87}}</ref> |
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As a result, Yahya Sinwar emerged as the most notable prisoner among the 1027 prisoners released during the [[Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange|Gilad Shalit prisoner exchanges]] with Israel in 2011. Having spent 24 years in Israeli detention, he seized the opportunity to learn and master the Hebrew language, as well as gain an in-depth understanding of Israeli society as a whole. |
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Upon his release to Gaza, Yahya Sinwar was greeted as a hero and seamlessly resumed his responsibilities, which included the execution of individuals suspected of collaborating with Israel within the Gaza population. It has been reported that a significant number, numbering in the hundreds, were subjected to execution within Gaza. During the years from 2011 to 2014, the execution of dozens of Hamas members significantly influenced the course of the [[2014 Gaza War]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestine (State of): ‘Strangling Necks’ Abductions, torture and summary killings of Palestinians by Hamas forces during the 2014 Gaza/Israel conflict |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde21/1643/2015/en/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}</ref> |
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Owing to his pivotal role within the political wing of the Hamas organization and his close ties with its militant branch, it was almost inevitable that he would ascend to the position of Hamas leader in 2017. He faced significant humanitarian challenges, including severe shortages of electricity and water supplies in Gaza. As a response, one of his initial actions was to engage in negotiations with Israel for a ceasefire ("Hudna") in exchange for financial and humanitarian aid. These efforts yielded considerable success, leading to the resolution of Gaza's electricity and water supply issues.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Power shortages in Gaza deepening the humanitarian crisis, say UN rights experts |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2017/07/power-shortages-gaza-deepening-humanitarian-crisis-say-un-rights-experts}}</ref> However, Sinwar's leadership was marred by close electoral competition in 2021, nearly losing to a lesser-known figure within Hamas, and facing impeachment threats. The key factors contributing to these challenges were allegations of torture and abuse of the Palestinian population and his more pragmatic approach towards Israel. |
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Following the 2021 elections, Sinwar adopted a markedly more militant stance. In May 2022, he delivered a speech to the Arab population in Israel and the West Bank, urging them to take up arms and engage in terror attacks. Just days after his speech, on May 5, 2022, a terror attack occurred in [[2022 El'ad stabbing|El'ad, Central District]], Israel, during Israel's Independence Day. The attackers were members of the Hamas organization from the West Bank who drew inspiration from his speech. |
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In 2023, shortly after Sinwar secured an additional financial agreement with Israel,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qatar mediates opening of Gaza-Israel crossing as protests end |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/29/qatar-mediates-opening-of-gaza-israel-crossing-as-protests-end |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref> permitting more Gazan employees to work within Israeli territory, Hamas carried out the bloodiest day in Israel's history. During the first day of the Israel-Hamas conflict, militants infiltrated Israel from the Gaza Strip, resulting in a higher civilian casualty count than in any previous Israeli conflict, all within a matter of hours. |
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== Beliefs and ideology == |
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Yahya Sinwar is a staunch proponent of the [[Salafi jihadism|Salafi jihadist]] branch of [[Sunni Islam]]. His core objective is the liberation of all "holy lands" territories and the establishment of an Islamic state governed by [[Sharia|''sharia'' law]]. His ideology shares notable similarities with the Muslim Brotherhood and the ISIS organization, which is particularly noteworthy as Yahya Sinwar's nephew was killed in connection with these groups.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Egyptian Writer Following Killing Of ISIS Operative Who Was Nephew Of Hamas Leader Yahya Al-Sinwar: There Is No Difference Between ISIS, Hamas And Muslim Brotherhood |url=https://www.memri.org/reports/egyptian-writer-following-killing-isis-operative-who-was-nephew-hamas-leader-yahya-al-sinwar |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=MEMRI |language=en}}</ref> Sinwar perceives himself as a divine appointee, chosen by God to guide the Palestinian people in their struggle against Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=What is Hamas? What to know about its origins, leaders and funding |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/what-is-hamas-what-to-know-about-its-origins-leaders-and-funding |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us}}</ref> Renowned for his unwavering bravery in the face of mortality, he regards himself as a living "''[[Shaheed]]''." |
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On 1 December 2020, Sinwar tested positive for [[COVID-19]] and was reportedly following the advice of health authorities and taking precautionary measures. A spokesman for the group also said that he was in "good health and [...] pursuing his duties as usual."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Almughrabi |first1=Nidal |editor1-last=Heller| editor1-first=Jeffrey |editor2-last=Ricahrdson |editor2-first=Alex |title=Hamas Gaza chief tests positive for COVID-19, spokesman says |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-gaza-hamas/hamas-gaza-chief-tests-positive-for-covid-19-spokesman-says-idUSKBN28B4V3?il=0 |access-date=1 December 2020 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=1 December 2020}}</ref> |
On 1 December 2020, Sinwar tested positive for [[COVID-19]] and was reportedly following the advice of health authorities and taking precautionary measures. A spokesman for the group also said that he was in "good health and [...] pursuing his duties as usual."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Almughrabi |first1=Nidal |editor1-last=Heller| editor1-first=Jeffrey |editor2-last=Ricahrdson |editor2-first=Alex |title=Hamas Gaza chief tests positive for COVID-19, spokesman says |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-gaza-hamas/hamas-gaza-chief-tests-positive-for-covid-19-spokesman-says-idUSKBN28B4V3?il=0 |access-date=1 December 2020 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=1 December 2020}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 16:58, 14 October 2023
Yahya Sinwar | |
|---|---|
| يحيى السنوار | |
 Sinwar in 2013 | |
| Hamas Chief in the Gaza Strip[1] | |
| Assumed office 13 February 2017 | |
| Leader | Ismail Haniyeh |
| Preceded by | Ismail Haniyeh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1962 (age 61–62) Khan Yunis, Egyptian-occupied Gaza Strip (present-day Palestinian territories) |
| Political party | Hamas |
| Education | Islamic University of Gaza |
Yahya Sinwar (Arabic: يحيى السنوار, romanized: Yaḥyá al-Sanwār, born 1962, also called Yehya Al-Sinwar[2] and spelled Yehiya Sinwar or Yehiyeh Sinwar) is the current Palestinian leader of the organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip, having taken over from Ismail Haniyeh in February 2017.[3][4] He was one of the co-founders of the security apparatus of Hamas.[5] He is the second most powerful figure within Hamas.[6]
In September 2015, Sinwar was designated a terrorist by the United States government,[5] and Hamas and the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades have also been designated terrorist organisations by the United States, the European Union and other countries and organisations[by whom?].
Early life
Sinwar was born Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar in 1962, in a refugee camp in Khan Yunis, when it was under Egyptian rule, where he spent his early years. His family is from Al-Majdal Asqalan (Ashkelon), moved to the Gaza Strip in 1948. After he graduated from high school at Khan Yunis Secondary School for Boys, he went on to the Islamic University of Gaza where he received a bachelor's degree in Arabic Studies.[7][8]
Career
Sinwar was first arrested in 1982 for subversive activities and he served several months in the Far'a prison where he met other Palestinian activists, including Salah Shehade, and dedicated himself to the Palestinian cause.[7] Arrested again in 1985,[4] upon his release he together with Rawhi Mushtaha co-founded the Munazzamat al Jihad w’al-Dawa (Majd) security organisation, which worked to, inter alia, identify Israeli spies in the Palestinian movement,[3] and which in 1987 became the "police" of Hamas.[7]
In 1988, he masterminded the abduction and killing of two Israeli soldiers and the murder of four Palestinian whom he suspected cooperating with Israel, for which he was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to four life sentences in 1989.[4][5] He tried to escape several times but was always caught. In 2008 while serving a prison sentence in Israel he was operated on to remove a tumor in his brain to save his life.[8][9] Sinwar served 22 years of his sentence, and was the most senior Palestinian prisoner freed among 1,026 others in a 2011 prisoner exchange for IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, who had been held hostage by Hamas for five years.[3][10]
In February 2017 Sinwar was secretly elected Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, taking over from Ismail Haniyeh. In March, he established a Hamas controlled administrative committee for the Gaza Strip, which meant that he opposed any power sharing with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah. Sinwar rejects any reconciliation with Israel.[3] He has called on militants to capture more Israeli soldiers.[5] In September 2017, a new round of negotiations with the Palestinian Authority began in Egypt, and Sinwar agreed to dissolve the Hamas administrative committee for Gaza.[11] More recently he has silenced hard-line voices in Gaza overruling the use of tunnels that Muhammad Deif wanted to use to sneak fighters into Israel before they were shut down by new classified Israeli technology in 2017.[12]
On 16 May 2018, in an unexpected announcement on Al Jazeera, Sinwar stated that Hamas would pursue "peaceful, popular resistance" opening the possibility that Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organisation by many countries, may play a role in negotiations with Israel.[12] A week earlier he had encouraged Gazans to breach the Israeli siege, saying "We would rather die as martyrs than die out of oppression and humiliation", and adding, "We are ready to die, and tens of thousands will die with us."[13]
In March 2021, he was elected to a second four-year term as the head of Hamas Gaza branch in an election held in secret. He is the highest-ranking Hamas official in Gaza and Gaza's de facto ruler, as well as the second most powerful member of Hamas after Haniyeh.[14]
On 15 May 2021, an Israeli airstrike was reported to have hit the home of the Hamas leader, there were no immediate details of any deaths or injured. The strike took place in the [Khan Yunis] region of southern Gaza in the midst of evergrowing tension between Israelis and Palestinians.[15] However, in the week that followed, he appeared publicly at least four times. The most obvious and daring thereof was in a press conference on 27 May 2021, when he mentioned (on air) that he will go home after the press conference (on foot), and invited the Israeli Minister of defense to take the decision to assassinate him in the following 60 minutes, until he reaches his home. Sinwar spent the next hour wandering in Gaza streets and having selfie photos with the public.[16]
Health
On 1 December 2020, Sinwar tested positive for COVID-19 and was reportedly following the advice of health authorities and taking precautionary measures. A spokesman for the group also said that he was in "good health and [...] pursuing his duties as usual."[17]
References
- ^ "Israeli occupation's threats against Hamas officials reflect political impasse". Hamas. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "Israel air strikes kill 42 Palestinians, rockets fired from Gaza". Reuters. 15 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d Beaumont, Peter (13 February 2017). "Hamas elects hardliner Yahya Sinwar as its Gaza Strip chief". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 February 2017.
- ^ a b c Balousha, Hazam; Booth, William (13 February 2017). "Hamas names hard-liner as its new political leader in Gaza". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Terrorist Designations of Yahya Sinwar, Rawhi Mushtaha, and Muhammed Deif". United States Department of State. 8 September 2015.
- ^ "The Palestinians try to reconcile". The Economist. 5 October 2017.
- ^ a b c نبذة عن حياة الأسير يحيى السنوار مؤسس الجهاز الأمني لحركة المقاومة الإسلامية حماس [About the life of the prisoner Yahya Sinwar founder of the security apparatus of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas] (in Arabic). Palestinian Information Center. 15 April 2010. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016.
- ^ a b "Yehya Ibrahim Sinwar". Ezzedeen AL-Qassam Brigades. Archived from the original on 2 September 2016.
- ^ قائد حماس بالسجون يحيى السنوار... خطط للهرب اكثر من مرة وعوقب بالعزل [Imprisoned Hamas leader Yehia Sinwar ... planned to escape more than once and was punished with solitary]. Maan News Agency. 19 October 2011. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017.
- ^ editorial, TV7 news (2 December 2020). "Hamas leader tests positive for coronavirus". TV7 Israel News.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Hamas agrees to talks with Fatah, hold elections". www.aljazeera.com.
- ^ a b "The leader of Hamas in Gaza is the most influential man in Palestine". The Economist. 26 May 2018.
- ^ Halbfinger, David M.; Abuheweila, Iyad (10 May 2018). "As Gaza Teeters on Precipice, a Hamas Leader Speaks Out". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
- ^ "Yahya Sinwar". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ Gross, Judah Ari. "Home of Hamas leader in Gaza said hit by Israeli strike". www.timesofisrael.com.
- ^ محلل إسرائيلي: أي عار هذا الذي نعيشه.. السنوار تجول في شوارع غزة وتحدى إسرائيل باغتياله ورسائله بكل اتجاه [Israeli analyst: What shame is this what we live in .. Sinwar wandered in the streets of Gaza and challenged Israel by assassinating him and his messages in every direction]. Aljazeera.net. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ Almughrabi, Nidal (1 December 2020). Heller, Jeffrey; Ricahrdson, Alex (eds.). "Hamas Gaza chief tests positive for COVID-19, spokesman says". Reuters. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
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