Video shows Sinwar, wife entering tunnel before Gaza attack
What's the story
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has released a video of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and his family entering a tunnel under their home. The footage is dated 10:45pm on October 6, 2023—mere hours before the horrific attack on Israel that killed over 1,200. In the video, Sinwar is seen with his wife and two sons carrying supplies into an underground hideout in Khan Younis. The video also showed Sinwar's wife holding a Birkin bag worth $32,000.
Official statement
IDF spokesperson comments on Sinwar's escape footage
Speaking about the footage during a televised briefing, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said, "You can see how Sinwar and his family members escape to an underground compound just hours before the brutal massacre." The video shows the family carrying backpacks and luggage into the bunker, which was equipped with amenities such as toilets, showers, and a kitchen—hinting at preparation for a long-term stay.
Leader's demise
Sinwar's year in hiding and subsequent death
Sinwar, one of the masterminds of the attack on Israel, had been in hiding for over a year after the attack. He was killed by Israeli forces on October 17 in an encounter in Rafah. After his death, drone footage was released showing him injured and trying to fend off a drone before being killed by a gunshot to the head.
Twitter Post
Video of the Sinwar family fleeing
BREAKING: IDF released video footage of Yahya Sinwar and his family, hours before the October 7th massacre, bringing food, pillows, and TV screen to his underground tunnel where he was hiding. They also found tens of thousands of shekels.
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) October 19, 2024
Sinwar cared only about himself. pic.twitter.com/9p3ZMPHSDq
Postmortem discovery
IDF finds cash, UNRWA teacher ID on Sinwar's body
After Sinwar's death, the IDF found 40,000 shekels ($10,000) and an ID of a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) teacher on his body. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Sinwar's death marks a turning point in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. However, a senior Hamas official said the terror group would only get stronger in the wake of its loss.