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Revision as of 13:37, 14 October 2023 by 46.120.6.71 (talk) (I made a much larger profile about the man, Yahya Sinwar.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip (born 1962)
| Yahya Sinwar | |
|---|---|
| يحيى السنوار | |
.jpg) Sinwar in 2013 | |
| Hamas Chief in the Gaza Strip | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 13 February 2017 | |
| Leader | Ismail Haniyeh |
| Preceded by | Ismail Haniyeh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1962 (age 62–63) Khan Yunis, Egyptian-occupied Gaza Strip (present-day Palestinian territories) |
| Political party | Hamas |
| Education | Islamic University of Gaza |
Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar (Template:Lang-ar, born 1962, also called Yehya Al-Sinwar and spelled Yehiya Sinwar or Yehiyeh Sinwar) is the current Palestinian leader of the terror organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip, having taken over from Ismail Haniyeh in February 2017. He was one of the co-founders of the security apparatus of Hamas. He is the second most powerful figure within Hamas.
In September 2015, Sinwar was designated a terrorist by the United States government, and Hamas and the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades have also been designated terrorist organizations by the United States, the European Union and other countries and organizations.
Early life
Yahya Sinwar, was born in 1962 within a refugee camp situated in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip. His birthplace is noteworthy for being the hometown of several influential figures within the Hamas leadership, including his own brother Muhammad Sinwar and Mohammed Deif. His early life unfolded under Egyptian administration until the Six-Day War. His family is from Al-Majdal Asqalan (Ashkelon), moved to the Gaza Strip in 1948. Upon completing his secondary education at Khan Yunis Secondary School for Boys, Yahya Sinwar pursued higher education at the Islamic University of Gaza , where he attained a bachelor's degree in Arabic Studies. During his university years, he became associated with the "Al-Kutla Al-Islamia" (Islamic Group) a student group with connections to activities deemed as terrorism. Notably, he succeeded in undermining the presence of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) student group on campus and established affiliations with Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. Following his graduation, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin recruited Yahya Sinwar as one of the founding members of the Hamas, an organization known for its involvement in terror activities all around the globe.
Militant and political career
Sinwar was first arrested in 1982 for subversive activities and he served several months in the Far'a prison where he met other Palestinian activists, including Salah Shehade, and dedicated himself to the Palestinian cause. Arrested again in 1985, upon his release he together with Rawhi Mushtaha co-founded the Munazzamat al Jihad w’al-Dawa (Majd) security organisation, which worked to, inter alia, identify Israeli spies in the Palestinian movement, and which in 1987 became the "police" of Hamas.
Upon the invitation of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in 1987, Yahya Sinwar became a member of the Hamas organization. In his initial role, his primary objective was to combat what he perceived as "Non-Islamic" behaviors and practices. Sinwar's responsibilities encompassed the elimination of activities such as prostitution, pornography, drug-related offenses, and other morally objectionable conduct. He was charged with ensuring that the nascent Hamas adhered to higher moral standards in accordance with Sharia law.
Additionally, Yahya Sinwar was entrusted with the task of rooting out Palestinian individuals who were collaborating with Israel within the Palestinian community and, specifically, within the Hamas organization. His responsibilities included locating, apprehending, and subsequently executing these collaborators . However, a mere two months after his induction into Hamas, he was apprehended by Israeli security agents and subsequently received a prison sentence totaling over 420 years due to his involvement in the execution of Palestinians . Remarkably, even from behind bars, Sinwar persisted in his role.
It is noteworthy that during his tenure, he was directly involved in the execution of 22 individuals, who had reportedly endured physical torture at his own hands, prior to their execution. Tragically, some survivors of this brutal treatment never fully recovered and were left with lifelong disabilities. 'The Butcher from Khan Yunis'. This chilling moniker was attributed to him due to his involvement in the torture and execution of individuals, including some who were not connected to Israel.
During his incarceration, although Yahya Sinwar was not directly involved in hostilities against Israel, he managed to attain a prominent status among Hamas prisoners, primarily owing to his familial ties to his brother, Muhammad Sinwar. Muhammad Sinwar gained notoriety for his involvement in the abduction of Gilad Shalit and holding him in captivity. He went to great lengths by vowing to "Behead Gilad Shalit" unless his brother, Yahya Sinwar, was released. This declaration was well-known among Sinwar's fellow inmates, and it underscored his pivotal role in any negotiations or agreements with Israel.
As a result, Yahya Sinwar emerged as the most notable prisoner among the 1027 prisoners released during the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchanges with Israel in 2011. Having spent 24 years in Israeli detention, he seized the opportunity to learn and master the Hebrew language, as well as gain an in-depth understanding of Israeli society as a whole.
Upon his release to Gaza, Yahya Sinwar was greeted as a hero and seamlessly resumed his responsibilities, which included the execution of individuals suspected of collaborating with Israel within the Gaza population. It has been reported that a significant number, numbering in the hundreds, were subjected to execution within Gaza. During the years from 2011 to 2014, the execution of dozens of Hamas members significantly influenced the course of the 2014 Gaza War .
Owing to his pivotal role within the political wing of the Hamas organization and his close ties with its militant branch, it was almost inevitable that he would ascend to the position of Hamas leader in 2017. He faced significant humanitarian challenges, including severe shortages of electricity and water supplies in Gaza. As a response, one of his initial actions was to engage in negotiations with Israel for a ceasefire ("Hudna") in exchange for financial and humanitarian aid. These efforts yielded considerable success, leading to the resolution of Gaza's electricity and water supply issues. However, Sinwar's leadership was marred by close electoral competition in 2021, nearly losing to a lesser-known figure within Hamas, and facing impeachment threats. The key factors contributing to these challenges were allegations of torture and abuse of the Palestinian population and his more pragmatic approach towards Israel.
Following the 2021 elections, Sinwar adopted a markedly more militant stance. In May 2022, he delivered a speech to the Arab population in Israel and the West Bank, urging them to take up arms and engage in terror attacks. Just days after his speech, on May 5, 2022, a terror attack occurred in El'ad, Central District, Israel, during Israel's Independence Day. The attackers were members of the Hamas organization from the West Bank who drew inspiration from his speech.
In 2023, shortly after Sinwar secured an additional financial agreement with Israel, permitting more Gazan employees to work within Israeli territory, Hamas carried out the bloodiest day in Israel's history. During the first day of the Israel-Hamas conflict, militants infiltrated Israel from the Gaza Strip, resulting in a higher civilian casualty count than in any previous Israeli conflict, all within a matter of hours.
Beliefs and ideology
Yahya Sinwar is a staunch proponent of theSalafi jihadist branch of Sunni Islam. His core objective is the liberation of all "holy lands" territories and the establishment of an Islamic state governed by sharia law. Sinwar perceives himself as a divine appointee, chosen by God to guide the Palestinian people in their struggle against Israel . Renowned for his unwavering bravery in the face of mortality, he regards himself as a living "Shaheed."
Health
On 1 December 2020, Sinwar tested positive for COVID-19 and was reportedly following the advice of health authorities and taking precautionary measures. A spokesman for the group also said that he was in "good health and pursuing his duties as usual."
References
- "Israeli occupation's threats against Hamas officials reflect political impasse". Hamas. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- "Israel air strikes kill 42 Palestinians, rockets fired from Gaza". Reuters. 15 May 2021.
- ^ Beaumont, Peter (13 February 2017). "Hamas elects hardliner Yahya Sinwar as its Gaza Strip chief". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 February 2017.
- ^ Balousha, Hazam; Booth, William (13 February 2017). "Hamas names hard-liner as its new political leader in Gaza". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017.
- ^ "Terrorist Designations of Yahya Sinwar, Rawhi Mushtaha, and Muhammed Deif". United States Department of State. 8 September 2015.
- "The Palestinians try to reconcile". The Economist. 5 October 2017.
- "Entirety of Hamas to be listed as a terrorist organisation". ABC News. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ نبذة عن حياة الأسير يحيى السنوار مؤسس الجهاز الأمني لحركة المقاومة الإسلامية حماس [About the life of the prisoner Yahya Sinwar founder of the security apparatus of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas] (in Arabic). Palestinian Information Center. 15 April 2010. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016.
- "Yehya Ibrahim Sinwar". Ezzedeen AL-Qassam Brigades. Archived from the original on 2 September 2016.
- "Terror attack in French school 'linked to Israel-Hamas conflict'". Sky News. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- "After Palestinian Escape, Israel's Prison Chief Faces Moment of Truth". Haaretz. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- https://news.italy24.press/trends/937009.html.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - Staff, ToI. "Brother of Hamas leader Sinwar: Firing rockets at Tel Aviv as easy as drinking water". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- "Palestine (State of): 'Strangling Necks' Abductions, torture and summary killings of Palestinians by Hamas forces during the 2014 Gaza/Israel conflict". Amnesty International. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- "What is Hamas? What to know about its origins, leaders and funding". PBS NewsHour. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- Almughrabi, Nidal (1 December 2020). Heller, Jeffrey; Ricahrdson, Alex (eds.). "Hamas Gaza chief tests positive for COVID-19, spokesman says". Reuters. Retrieved 1 December 2020.