Yahya Sinwar

Yahya Sinwar (Arabic: يحيى السنوار) (29 October 1962 – 16 October 2024) was a Palestinian politician who was the leader of Hamas in Gaza.

Early life
He was born in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in Egyptian-governed Gaza in 1962. His family were forcibly expelled from the Palestinian city of Al-Majdal Asqalan during the 1948 War. He completed his academia at the Muslim University of Gaza and received a bachelor's degree in Arabic studies.

 Activities 
For planning the capture and killing of two Israeli soldiers and four Palestinians accused of working with Israel in 1989, he was sentenced to four life sentences by the Israeli courts, of which he served 22 years until his release among 1,026 others in a 2011 prisoner exchange. In 2017, he was elected as the leader of Hamas. He was re-elected as the leader of Hamas in 2021, and had a failed assassination against him by Israel that year.

 Personal Life 
In addition to his native Arabic, Sinwar spoke Hebrew, which he learned, along with insights into Jewish culture, while held captive by Israel.

Death
On 17 October 2024, Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet said they were looking into whether Sinwar was among three individuals killed in an operation in Gaza that had taken place the day before, though neither Israel or Hamas made any official confirmation. A body believed to be Sinwar's and a DNA sample were collected. According to Kan radio, the bodies of Sinwar and his associates were found with cash, weapons and fake IDs.

The IDF confirmed through DNA analysis that Sinwar had been killed a day earlier in Gaza during a firefight with the IDF.

 References 

Category:1962 births
Category:2024 deaths
Category:Palestinian politicians
Category:Palestinian militants
Category:Hamas
Category:Assassinated people
Category:Deaths by firearm