Hamas’s surprise October 7 attacks stunned Israel, but for Dr. Yuval Bitton, the mastermind behind the assault was no mystery. Bitton, a former dentist at Israel’s Nafha Prison, had a unique connection to Yahya Sinwar, a Hamas leader in Gaza. Sinwar, once a prisoner under Bitton's care, later rose to prominence within Hamas.
Bitton's interactions with Sinwar provided him with valuable insights into the Hamas leader's mindset. Sinwar, born in a Gaza refugee camp, joined Hamas in the late 1980s and was imprisoned in Israel for the abduction and killing of two soldiers. After his release in 2011, Sinwar ascended to a leadership position within Hamas, known for his brutal treatment of suspected collaborators.
Israel has accused Sinwar of orchestrating the deadly October 7 attack, the deadliest in Israel's history, resulting in over 1,200 casualties, mostly civilians. Bitton, who lost his nephew in the assault, holds Sinwar directly responsible for the tragedy.
Despite Sinwar's past acknowledgment of owing his life to Bitton, their relationship soured following the attack. Bitton, now part of Israeli intelligence, believes Sinwar's ultimate goal is to expel Jewish people from the region.
Bitton criticizes Israel for underestimating Hamas and failing to develop a strategy to counter Sinwar's influence. He warns that Sinwar is willing to sacrifice thousands to maintain his grip on power, making negotiations challenging.
Sinwar's extensive time in prison allowed him to study his adversaries, including learning Hebrew. Bitton emphasizes the importance of understanding Hamas's intentions and not dismissing their threats, urging a more informed approach to dealing with the militant group.
