Yahya Sinwar, a seasoned figure within Hamas and a former prisoner in Israel, emerged as the group's leader after spearheading a violent escalation in Gaza.
His leadership became even more prominent following an attack on Israel on October 7 last year, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths. Sinwar, a key architect behind the assault, is believed to be hiding in Gaza's extensive tunnel system.
On Thursday, Israel stated it was investigating whether Sinwar, now 61, was killed in a military operation, which would be a significant blow to Hamas.
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Sinwar rose to leadership in Gaza, taking over from political chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran in July in a targeted assassination attributed to Israel. His journey with Hamas began in the late 1980s when he helped establish the group’s internal security apparatus.
As a senior commander of Hamas’ military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, he solidified his influence.
Known for his calculated but unwavering approach, Sinwar has blended military radicalism with political pragmatism, pushing for negotiations with Israel through the use of force.
Despite efforts by his predecessor to moderate Hamas' image, Sinwar has opted for more aggressive strategies, aiming for a unified Palestinian state that includes Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Sinwar’s popularity grew in the West Bank following a truce in November that led to a prisoner exchange with Israel. As Israel vows to eliminate him, he remains a central figure in Hamas, blending his military expertise with a deep understanding of Israeli society.
Sinwar has been on the U.S. list of most-wanted terrorists since 2015.
