He ascended as a heroic martyr, advancing and not retreating, brandishing his weapon, engaging and confronting the occupation army at the forefront of the ranks, moving between all the combat positions, steadfast and firm on the land of proud Gaza.
Defending the land of Palestine and its holy sites, and inspiring in kindling the spirit of steadfastness, patience, steadfastness and resistance.
“The greatest gift Israel can give me is to assassinate me. I prefer to die a martyr from an F-16 than to die of coronavirus or a stroke or a heart attack”.-Abu Ibrahim Yahya Sinwar
A Brief History of Yahya Sinwar
Born in the Khan Younis refugee camp in Gaza in 1962, Yahya Sinwar’s journey into the heart of the Palestinian resistance was deeply influenced by his early experiences under Israeli occupation.
Sinwar grew up amidst the first wave of Palestinian uprisings and quickly became involved in political activism, eventually joining the ranks of Hamas when it was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada.
As a young man, Sinwar was a determined figure who rose through the ranks of Hamas by showcasing his dedication, leadership, and strategic mindset.
His charisma and ability to unite factions within Hamas led him to become one of its founding members.
Imprisonment and Radicalization
One of the defining moments in Yahya Sinwar’s life was his imprisonment by Israel in 1988.
He was sentenced to multiple life terms for his role in organizing the capture and killing of two Israeli soldiers.
During his 22 years in Israeli prisons, Sinwar became even more radicalized. Incarceration for many Palestinian leaders, including Sinwar, served as a crucible for forging hardened resistance.
It was in these prisons that Sinwar’s political ideologies solidified, and he emerged as a more rigid and committed leader.
While in prison, Sinwar earned a reputation for being a tough, uncompromising figure. His fellow prisoners regarded him as a leader, often referring to him as “The Butcher of Khan Younis” for his role in internal Hamas crackdowns against perceived traitors.
His time behind bars only increased his prominence within the movement, and his release in 2011 as part of a prisoner swap for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit further bolstered his reputation as a hero in Gaza.
The Rise of Yahya Sinwar in HamasAfter his release, Sinwar quickly ascended to a leadership position within Hamas.
In 2017, he was elected the leader of Hamas in Gaza, making him one of the most influential figures in the organization.
His leadership marked a shift toward a more hardline stance, especially in terms of relations with Israel and internal governance within Gaza.
Sinwar’s tenure was marked by his strategic approach to military conflict, often leveraging Hamas’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, to assert Hamas’s strength.
However, he was also known for his pragmatic side, willing to engage in negotiations when necessary.
His dual role as both a military commander and a political leader gave him a unique position within the movement.Yahya Sinwar, as one of Hamas’s most influential figures, achieved a number of key milestones throughout his leadership.
His most notable accomplishment was his pivotal role in establishing “Majd”, the internal security apparatus of Hamas.
This organization was crucial in rooting out collaborators with Israel and ensuring loyalty within the ranks of Hamas.
Achievements in Leadership and Governance
The Establishment of Majd
Majd was founded in the late 1980s by Yahya Sinwar. It was a clandestine security and intelligence unit within Hamas, tasked with identifying and neutralizing informants and collaborators.
This move was critical in safeguarding Hamas’s operations and consolidating its power during the early stages of the group’s development.
Sinwar, with his intense commitment to Hamas and his strategic mindset, ensured that Majd became an integral part of the movement’s internal security.
Majd operated with secrecy and efficiency, enforcing discipline within Hamas and ensuring that the movement’s internal workings remained untainted by external influences.
This group was known for its ruthlessness in dealing with traitors, which earned Sinwar a fearsome reputation.
His efforts in organizing Majd allowed Hamas to remain resilient despite Israel’s attempts to weaken the group through infiltration.
Beyond Majd, Sinwar’s achievements as a leader of Hamas extended to both the military and political realms.
After his release in 2011, he worked diligently to strengthen Hamas’s military infrastructure.
His tenure as the leader of Hamas in Gaza was marked by the expansion of Hamas’s tunnel networks, which were used for smuggling and military operations, and the enhancement of its rocket capabilities.
In the political sphere, Sinwar was instrumental in maintaining relationships with key regional players like Egypt and Qatar.
His leadership helped secure funding and political support from these countries, which was crucial for Gaza’s survival under the blockade imposed by Israel.
Furthermore, his role in negotiations with Israel, especially during ceasefires, highlighted his pragmatic approach to leadership, despite his hardline image.
Legacy
Sinwar’s contributions to Hamas and his role in establishing Majd cemented his legacy as one of the movement’s most powerful and strategic leaders.
His dual approach of strict internal control and external military engagement allowed Hamas to thrive even under immense pressure from Israel and internal Palestinian political dynamics.
Though controversial, Sinwar’s achievements reflect a deeply committed leader who significantly shaped Hamas’s trajectory during his lifetime.
His death has left a gap that will be difficult to fill, and his legacy will continue to influence the future of Hamas and the broader Israel-Palestine conflict.
The Shocking Death and What Could Happen Next
“Yahya Sinwar was killed.” This is how Israel announced the martyrdom of the head of the political bureau of Hamas in Rafah.
The news resonated loudly on Arab and international social media platforms, as Yahya Sinwar’s name topped search engines on social media platforms.
The audience of social media platforms in Palestine and the Arab and Islamic world began to mourn the head of the political bureau of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar.
What most caught the attention of virtual world users in the pictures that spread on social media platforms of Yahya Sinwar’s body was that he was wearing a military jacket and covered in the dust and gunpowder of the battle.
Tweeters said that Sinwar was martyred in the most dangerous place in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah, which was evacuated more than 5 months ago, and he was not in the tunnels or among the displaced, but in the battle and in the field above the ground, fighting and advancing, not retreating.
They added that Sinwar was martyred fighting, resisting and fighting, and not as the Zionist media and some were promoting that he was deep underground surrounded by prisoners and wearing an explosive belt.
Latest News and Reactions
The global reaction to Yahya Sinwar’s death has been mixed. While Israel has not officially commented on the matter, many Israeli officials see Sinwar’s death as a significant blow to Hamas’s leadership.
Meanwhile, within Gaza, there have been widespread demonstrations of mourning, with thousands taking to the streets to express their grief and solidarity with the movement.
“The historical records say: Commander Yahya Sinwar inflicted the greatest military defeat on Israel in its history, and he remained carrying his weapon for more than a year fighting among his soldiers, defending his religion, his land, and the honor of his nation, until he met his Lord as a martyr on the battlefield, as testified by his enemies. A life full of patience, jihad, and courage, and a heroic death on the battlefield”. A tweet by Ahmed Mansour.
Conclusion
The death of Yahya Sinwar marks the end of a significant chapter in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
His life, marked by struggle, imprisonment, leadership, and war, made him a central figure in Gaza’s political landscape.
It is a Jihad, victory or martyrdom.