Hamas releases unseen footage of former leader Yahya Sinwar

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas released an unseen video of former leader Yahya Sinwar, who has been accused by Israel of orchestrating Operation Al-Aqsa Flood in Gaza on October 7, 2023. The latest footage prominently showed Sinwar moving above ground and directly engaging with the Israeli army, countering claims that he had been hiding in tunnels.

The video depicted Sinwar leading operations against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Rafah, located in southern Gaza. He was seen navigating various locations to uplift the morale of fellow fighters.

In one clip, Sinwar was shown holding a stick and draped in a large cloak. He was heard saying, “And freedom's red door is knocked upon with every bloodied hand,” according to an English translation of his words during the operation.

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Another segment of the video showed Sinwar sitting alongside Tel Al-Sultan Brigade Commander Mahmoud Hamdan. The two were seen discussing strategies, with Hamdan explaining their plans using a map of the Palestinian enclave.

A footage also captured Sinwar standing just a few miles away from an Israeli tank that had been neutralised by Hamas fighters. Despite his visible presence above ground, the Israeli army had been unable to locate him and continued to assert that he is hiding in tunnels.

Despite being severely injured, with one hand blown off during the fighting, Sinwar's attempt to fight the enemy with a stick while seated on a sofa has been hailed as a symbol of defiance.

His last moments catapulted him to greater popularity, portraying him as a hero for those unfamiliar with his long history of resistance and intellectual abilities, including mastering Hebrew during his imprisonment in Israeli jails.

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Several political analysts argued that the Israeli army made a mistake by releasing the video, as it showed Sinwar as a stalwart figure rather than the "terrorist" they intended the world to see.

Israeli media confirmed his death on October 17, with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) later verifying his identity through DNA testing.

Sinwar, born in the Khan Younis refugee camp, joined Hamas in 1987 and became one of Israel's most wanted figures.