Ex Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar Seen Inside Tunnel Hours Before October 7 Attack: Israeli Footage Released

On Saturday, Israel released footage revealing former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar moving his belongings into an underground tunnel in Gaza just hours before the deadly October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The footage, captured before Sinwar's death in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, provides a rare glimpse into the Hamas leader’s movements leading up to the infamous attack.

Footage Shows Sinwar Preparing for Underground Shelter

The video footage, released by Israeli authorities, depicts Sinwar and his family—his wife and children—moving various household items, including a television, water, pillows, and mattresses, into a tunnel located beneath their home in Khan Younis. According to Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesman, the tunnel was equipped with toilets, showers, and a kitchen, indicating that Sinwar had prepared the underground compound for long-term shelter. Israeli forces also discovered food, cash, and documents inside the tunnel.

Sinwar’s Final Moments and Death in Rafah

Israeli forces confirmed Sinwar’s death during a firefight in Rafah, where he was reportedly cornered and alone in a demolished building. Drone footage captured just moments before his death showed Sinwar critically wounded, attempting to throw an object at the drone before succumbing to a gunshot wound to the head. His autopsy revealed that one of his fingers had been severed.

Sinwar’s death comes after repeated Israeli efforts to target the Hamas leader during a year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas. Hagari noted that Israel had identified Sinwar’s final hideout after discovering “his DNA sample on a tissue with which he blew his nose.”

The October 7 Attack and Its Aftermath

The October 7, 2023 attack, launched by Hamas, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in Israel and the abduction of 235 hostages. In response, Israel launched a massive military operation in Gaza, which has led to over 40,000 deaths over the past year, according to reports.

Hamas has disputed the narrative provided by Israel regarding Sinwar's final moments. In a statement, Hamas officials said that Sinwar died "heroically engaging in battle," dismissing the claims made by Israel’s military as “blatant lies.”

Questions Surrounding Hamas Leadership

Sinwar’s death has raised critical questions about the future leadership of Hamas, as he had recently replaced the slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The ongoing conflict has also drawn in Lebanon, with Israeli airstrikes over the past year resulting in at least 2,350 deaths in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry. More than 1.2 million people have been displaced due to the violence.

As Hezbollah continues to engage in the conflict, at least 50 Israeli soldiers and civilians have been killed in attacks. The broader conflict has left both Israel and its neighboring countries on edge, as international efforts for peace remain fraught with challenges.

Conclusion

The release of footage showing Yahya Sinwar preparing for life in an underground tunnel highlights the lengths to which Hamas leadership had gone to protect themselves amidst escalating tensions. With Sinwar’s death, the future of Hamas leadership remains uncertain, and the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to pose a significant threat to the stability of the region.