Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, has emerged as a key figure in the recent conflict between Israel and Palestine. Sinwar played a significant role in the October 7 attacks on southern Israel, which has made him a prime target for Israeli military operations in the region.
There are reports suggesting that Sinwar, who has not been seen in public for over a year, may have been killed in Gaza. He took over as the head of Hamas' political bureau after the assassination of his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, in late July, solidifying his position as a prominent leader within the militant group.
Sinwar's background includes a conviction in 1988 for involvement in the murder of two Israeli soldiers and four Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel. He served more than two decades in Israeli prisons, during which he reportedly studied Hebrew and gained insights into his adversaries.
Designated as a global terrorist by the US Department of State since 2015, Sinwar has also faced sanctions from the United Kingdom and France. His rise within Hamas began in the late 1980s, where he focused on strengthening the group's military wing and establishing crucial connections with Arab nations in the region.
Born in 1962 in a refugee camp in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, Sinwar's family traces its roots back to Al-Majdal, a village in historic Palestine. Their displacement during al-Nakba, or 'the catastrophe,' mirrors the experiences of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who were forced to flee their homes during the 1948/49 war, leading to the creation of the state of Israel.
