The IDF has declassified a video of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar when he is hiding with his family in a tunnel under the Gaza Strip just before Hamas invades Israel on October 7th. A similar video was released previously that showed the family from the back. This video is more clear and it is possible to see their faces. It shows them walking underground on the night between October 6th and October 7th.
The IDF also released photographs of a photo from the tunnel where Yahya Sinwar stayed in the Tel al-Sultan area and was located by IDF and ISA forces later in the war.
IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari explains, “Yahya Sinwar spent years planning the October 7th attack. Each step was planned to maximize harm to Israeli and Gazan civilians and to minimize harm to himself and other terrorists…Sinwar was hiding his family and equipment including beds, food, water and a television…he was doing that all night alone with his family in order to keep his position classified. It was all happening in Khan Yunis. This was a luxury that the people of Gaza did not have. Sinwar always prioritized himself, his money and Hamas terrorists over the people of Gaza.”
Hagari continues, “In February, our troops found supplies meant for a long stay in Sinwar’s underground hideout.”
Hagari explains that Sinwar was always hiding underground (not fighting the IDF himself) and was with the 6 hostages who were found to be murdered by Hamas on September 1st. His DNA was found near the hostages on a tissue he used and left behind.
Sinwar was a coward. The only time he engaged with the IDF soldiers was when they accidentally caught him when he was above ground running for his life, and he was killed then.
“I want to emphasize, this was the first and last time he encountered Israeli soldiers and he was eliminated,” says Hagari. “Sinwar has been eliminated but our mission is not over. We will not rest until we bring our hostages home.”
Watch the full message from Hagari:
