Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, was released by Israel in 2011 as part of a major prisoner swap deal that included the release of 1,027 Palestinian and Israeli Arab prisoners in exchange for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier. Shalit, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier, was held captive by Hamas for five years after being kidnapped in a 2006 raid that included Sinwar’s brother, a senior Hamas military commander.
Sinwar spent more than 22 years in Israeli prisons from 1988 to 2011, a period that reportedly hardened his radical views. According to experts, his time in solitary confinement and his interactions with other prisoners further strengthened his leadership within Hamas.
Israeli officials described him as “brutal, authoritarian, dominant”, with significant stamina, manipulative tendencies, and the ability to mobilize crowds. Sinwar’s ability to maintain authority inside the prison, including negotiating with prison officials and enforcing discipline among prisoners, helped cement his position as a prominent Hamas leader.
Watch Drone footage of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar’s final moments released by Israel
After his release, Sinwar called for more kidnappings of Israeli soldiers. The time he spent in prison had not softened his stance; Instead, it appeared to intensify his commitment to Hamas’s goals.
After returning to Gaza following the 2011 swap, Sinwar rose to prominence, largely due to his status as a founding member of Hamas and his lengthy imprisonment, which enhanced his reputation. His leadership was also fueled by fear, as Sinwar had a reputation for violence, reportedly earning him the nickname “The Butcher of Khan Yunis”. He is believed to be responsible for the detention, torture, and murder of a Hamas commander accused of embezzlement and homosexuality in 2015.
Reading How Israeli forces found and killed Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar in Gaza
In 2017, Sinwar became the head of Hamas’ political bureau in the Gaza Strip. His younger brother, Mohammed Sinwar, also played a major role in Hamas’s military activities and is believed to have survived several Israeli assassination attempts.