New Footage Reveals Activities of Slain Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar During Gaza Conflict

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Newly released footage of Yahya Sinwar, the former leader of Hamas, has emerged three months after his death during an Israeli military operation in Gaza. The footage aired by Al Jazeera shows Sinwar directing militant operations in the Rafah area of Gaza, highlighting the ongoing conflict's impact on the region.

In the footage, Sinwar is depicted in a military vest, holding a stick and surrounded by ruins indicative of the extensive damage incurred during the fighting. Notably, a building where Sinwar had briefly stayed showed signs of prior Israeli incursions, including graffiti that read the Hebrew word for "north."

Additional clips reveal Sinwar discussing strategic plans with a colleague, with a map laid out before them, and also feature a signed order from him that authorized the October 7 attacks on Israel, a sequence of events that ignited the current Gaza war.

Yahya Sinwar, who was 62 at the time of his death, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the October attacks. He rose to power within Hamas, following the death of his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh. Sinwar was infamous for his brutal governance, including allegations of torture and executions of suspected collaborators with Israel during his time in charge of Hamas' internal security. His leadership and actions have profoundly shaped the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.

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