Shadowy Hamas leader in Gaza is at top of Israel’s hit list after last month’s deadly attack

Yehya Sinwar is the top leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He is known for his secretive and disciplined nature, as well as his history as a militant and time spent in Israeli prisons.

Sinwar is believed to have masterminded the Hamas attack on Israel in October 7, 2023, which led to a significant escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He also controls Hamas’ negotiations concerning hostages captured during the attack.

To Israelis, Sinwar is a nightmarish figure and is accused of brutal acts. Some Palestinians respect him for his defiance against Israel and his presence in Gaza, but others fear his iron grip on the territory.

Born in Gaza’s Khan Younis refugee camp in 1962, Sinwar was an early member of Hamas and played a role in purging spies for Israel. He was imprisoned by Israel, where he learned Hebrew and studied Israeli society. He was released in a prisoner exchange in 2011.

Sinwar’s political fate may depend on the outcome of the war and whether Palestinians feel they gained anything from their immense losses. If he can secure the release of Palestinian prisoners and the lifting of the Gaza blockade, it may be seen as a victory. However, failure to achieve these goals could lead to criticism.