10 quick facts about Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar

The Israeli military is investigating the possibility that Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar was among three militants killed during operations in Gaza.  

Sinwar, widely regarded as the mastermind behind the 7 October 2023 attack in Israel, was appointed Hamas’ new political leader in August, following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.  

Here are 10 quick facts about the Hamas leader:  

1. Birth and Early Life

Yahya Sinwar was born on 29 October 1962 in the Khan Younis refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, established for Palestinians displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.  

2. Education

He attended the Islamic University of Gaza, where he studied Arabic and Islamic studies and became involved in political activism.  

3. Founding Member of Hamas

Sinwar was one of the founding members of Hamas in 1987 during the First Intifada and played a significant role in establishing its armed wing.  

4. Imprisonment

In 1988, he was arrested by Israeli authorities for involvement in terrorist activities, including the murder of two Israeli soldiers, and was sentenced to four life terms in prison.  

5. Release and Rise in Hamas

Sinwar was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange deal for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. After his release, he quickly rose through Hamas’ leadership ranks.  

6. Leadership Role

He became the head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip in 2017 and was appointed as the movement’s political leader in August 2023, further consolidating his power.  

7. Architect of the 7 October Attacks

Sinwar is widely regarded as the mastermind behind the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and the taking of around 250 hostages.  

8. Nickname

He is often referred to as the “Butcher of Khan Younis” due to his brutal tactics against suspected collaborators and his role in Hamas’ internal security operations.  

9. Strategic Focus

Sinwar has prioritised a military approach against Israel, advocating for violent resistance and using hostage-taking as a strategy to negotiate prisoner exchanges.  

10. Current Status

As of October 17,  2024, there are reports that Sinwar may have been killed in an Israeli military operation, though this has not yet been officially confirmed. 

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