Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar (Arabic: يحيى إبراهيم حسن السنوار; 29 October 1962 – 16 October 2024) was a Palestinian militant and politician, serving as the de facto leader of Hamas. He became chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau in August 2024 and led the organization in the Gaza Strip from February 2017 until his death, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh in both roles.
Born in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in Gaza, Sinwar's family was displaced from Ashkelon during the 1948 Palestine War. He studied Arabic at the Islamic University of Gaza. In 1989, he was sentenced to four life sentences for orchestrating the abduction and killing of two Israeli soldiers and four Palestinians he deemed collaborators. After serving 22 years, he was released in a 2011 prisoner exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. During his imprisonment, he was involved in the execution of suspected collaborators and continued to plan abductions of Israeli soldiers. He underwent medical treatment for a brain tumor in 2004, which was life-saving.
In 2017, Sinwar was elected Hamas leader in Gaza, advocating for "peaceful, popular resistance" while simultaneously being committed to Israel's destruction and pursuing military strategies. He maintained strong ties with Iran and was re-elected in 2021. Sinwar was regarded as the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages.
Designated as a terrorist by multiple countries, including the U.S. and the EU, Sinwar faced a potential arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes. He was killed in a firefight with the Israeli military on October 16, 2024. **Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau (2024)**
After the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh on July 31, 2024, Yahya Sinwar was appointed as the new overall leader of Hamas and the chairman of its Political Bureau. His selection followed a unanimous vote by the Shura Council, which signaled a defiant stance against Israel.
According to the BBC, Sinwar's election marked a significant shift, indicating the beginning of a more extreme phase for Hamas. His popularity in the Arab and Islamic worlds surged after the October 7 attacks, alongside his strong ties to the "Axis of Resistance," a coalition of armed groups led by Iran. The Wall Street Journal noted that his leadership reflected Hamas's commitment to waging war against Israel in collaboration with Iranian militias, and he gained support among Palestinians for his conflict strategies. The Economist observed that Sinwar's appointment made a ceasefire less likely, reinforcing Hamas's alignment with Iran and resistance to diplomatic efforts.
In September, the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate began investigating the possibility of Sinwar's death in an airstrike, although Israeli authorities maintained that he was still alive. By October, Sinwar re-established contact with Hamas representatives in Qatar.
**Personal Life**
Sinwar married Samar Muhammad Abu Zamar on November 21, 2011. She is 18 years younger and holds a master's degree in theology. They have three children, the eldest named Ibrahim, which gives Sinwar the kunya "Abu Ibrahim." He was a hafiz, having memorized the Quran, and learned Hebrew during his imprisonment, gaining insights into Israeli culture.
**Death**
On October 17, 2024, the IDF and Shin Bet were investigating reports that Sinwar had been killed in an operation the previous day. Although not officially confirmed by either Israel or Hamas, a body resembling Sinwar was found with cash, weapons, and fake IDs. DNA analysis later confirmed his death during a firefight with IDF forces. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Sinwar's death marked a new era free from Hamas's rule in Gaza, urging the population to seize the moment to escape its tyranny.