Connect with us

International

Sinwar was not hiding in tunnels, contrary to Israeli PM Netanyahu’s claims

The killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar challenges Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claims that Sinwar was hiding in tunnels. Reports indicate that Sinwar was killed while actively engaging Israeli forces in combat, raising doubts about Netanyahu’s portrayal of his final moments.

Published

13 hours ago

on

Drone footage of the scene shortly before the death of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas after an engagement with the Irseali troops in Rafah

Yahya Sinwar, the 61-year-old leader of Hamas, was killed by Israeli forces this week, marking the end of a year-long hunt for the mastermind of the 7 October attack on Israel.

His death was confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday (17 Oct) .

According to reports, Sinwar was found in the Tel Sultan neighbourhood of Rafah, Gaza, lying among the rubble of a destroyed building.

Initial details of his death have led to a re-examination of previous claims made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had suggested that Sinwar had been hiding in tunnels beneath Gaza to evade capture.

Sinwar, long considered one of Israel’s most-wanted figures, was a key figure in the 7 October assault, which left 1,139 dead and hundreds taken hostage.

Following his death, Netanyahu hailed the operation as a major victory for Israel, stating that “we have settled the score” and describing Sinwar’s elimination as a symbolic moment in Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

However, discrepancies have emerged between Netanyahu’s prior statements and the circumstances of Sinwar’s death.

The prime minister had previously asserted that Sinwar was hiding deep within Hamas’ network of underground tunnels, implying cowardice and evasion.

In a televised address, Netanyahu characterised Sinwar as a leader who had fled from Israeli soldiers, declaring that he was “hiding in a dark den” and was killed while “running away in fear”.

Yet, reports from the field challenge this narrative. According to multiple sources, Sinwar was killed in the open air, dressed in combat fatigues, and actively engaged in fighting when he was struck.

Israeli media has aired graphic footage showing Sinwar’s body, identifiable by his injuries, and his last moments appear to have been spent throwing grenades at Israeli forces and attempting to strike an Israeli drone with a wooden stick in a final act of defiance.

This stands in stark contrast to the image of a man cowering underground in tunnels, as initially suggested by Netanyahu.

Furthermore, reports from Israeli media suggest that Sinwar’s death was not the result of a targeted intelligence operation, as had been the case with previous high-profile Hamas leaders.

Instead, Sinwar appears to have been killed by chance during a ground skirmish with Israeli troops. His body was reportedly discovered among the rubble of a building in Rafah, along with weapons, cash, and fake IDs. These findings suggest that Sinwar was actively moving between combat positions, rather than hiding underground.

The confusion surrounding the exact details of Sinwar’s death has prompted further scrutiny.

An autopsy conducted by Israel’s national forensic institute concluded that Sinwar had died from a gunshot wound to the head, contradicting earlier claims that he was killed by a tank shell fired into the building.

While the exact sequence of events remains unclear, it is apparent that Sinwar was not killed while attempting to flee, as previously suggested, but rather while he was engaging Israeli forces directly.

This revelation is likely to fuel the burgeoning martyrdom cult surrounding Sinwar, particularly within Palestinian territories.

His death in combat, clad in military gear and actively resisting Israeli troops, has already sparked comparisons to historical figures such as Che Guevara, whose own violent end became a symbol of resistance. Sinwar’s deputy, Khalil al-Hayya, emphasised this narrative, stating that Sinwar died “facing and not retreating”.

The contrasting accounts of Sinwar’s final moments could have implications for both sides of the conflict.

For Israel, the death of such a prominent figure may provide a symbolic victory, but it also complicates the broader narrative that Hamas leaders were merely hiding in tunnels while leaving civilians exposed to the horrors of war.

For Palestinians, Sinwar’s death in battle, rather than in retreat, may further fuel his image as a martyr for the cause, galvanising support among Hamas sympathisers.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
32 Comments
Subscribe
Notify of
32 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

International

Pro-Palestine protesters confront Nas Daily at Tokyo meetup event

Pro-Palestinian activists protested at a Tokyo event hosted by vlogger Nas Daily, accusing him of whitewashing Israel’s actions in Gaza. The confrontation escalated, with Yassin mocking the pro-Palestinian protesters, and tensions rising as fans responded with insults and physical violence.

Published

2 days ago

on

19 October 2024

By

TOKYO, JAPAN: A group of pro-Palestinian activists staged a protest during a fan meetup organized by popular Israeli-Palestinian vlogger Nuseir Yassin, better known as Nas Daily, in Tokyo on Saturday (12 Oct).

The activists accused Yassin of downplaying the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in widespread devastation.

Yassin, who gained fame for his travel and cultural content through a series of one-minute videos, was confronted by the demonstrators shortly after the event began.

One protester asserted that Yassin was not merely “another content creator” but rather “a willing brutal tool of Israel’s propaganda machine.”

Signs held by the protesters echoed these sentiments, with messages like “We don’t need influencers who are complicit in genocide” and “Jews for a free Palestine.”

During the confrontation, Yassin was seen taking photos with fans and reportedly stated, “My country is Israel.”

Eyewitness accounts indicated that he laughed and mocked the atrocities being recounted by the protesters, even cursing at them and claiming they would be “the first people to die in Palestine.”

In a surprising turn, one attendee who initially came to meet Yassin changed their stance after witnessing the exchange, remarking, “I came here for the event, but after listening to you and listening to him right now, I’m not on his side.”

This individual emphasized the importance of basic humanity, criticizing Yassin for laughing in the face of suffering.

Yassin was made to cut the event short as it was said that he did not have the required permit to hold the event.

Tensions escalated as Nas Daily fans responded to the activists with insults and physical violence, which was captured in widely circulated social media clips.

In an update on his social media platform X on Monday (14 Oct), Yassin shared a video of the incident and expressed that he was “excited” by the protesters’ presence.

He stated, “I told them I agreed with them. I also want a Free Palestine from Hamas. Free Palestine from terrorism. Free Palestine from radical religion.”

However, he noted that the activists seemed to want a Free Palestine only from Jews.

This protest occurs against the backdrop of escalating violence in Gaza, where Israel’s military actions have resulted in over 42,000 deaths and more than 99,000 injuries since 7 October 2023.

Continue Reading

Community

Love Aid Singapore cease partnership with International Relief Organisation due to legal issues in Germany

Singaporean activist Gilbert Goh, founder of Love Aid Singapore, announced the immediate cessation of collaboration with the International Relief Organisation due to its legal troubles in Germany. Goh emphasized the commitment to humanitarian aid for Palestinians while avoiding political entanglements.

Published

3 days ago

on

18 October 2024

By

SINGAPORE: Singaporean activist Gilbert Goh, founder of Love Aid Singapore, has announced the immediate cessation of collaboration with the NGO International Relief Organisation (IRO).

This decision follows IRO’s involvement in a court case with German authorities concerning allegations of incitement. Goh announced this update via Love Aid Singapore’s Instagram on Friday (18 Oct).

In consultation with the Commissioner of Charities (COC), Goh stated, “We have decided to cease collaboration with our partner NGO in Gaza, International Relief Organisation, with immediate effect.”

The Palestinian NGO, registered in Germany, is facing legal challenges due to politically charged postings made by its head, which have drawn scrutiny from German authorities.

Germany’s position regarding the conflict has been notable, as it has consistently supported Israel’s military actions.

Reports from Anadolu Agency on Monday (14 Oct) indicated that Germany reiterated its support for Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, despite rising civilian casualties.

German Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer stated, “We see no signs that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza,” during a press briefing in Berlin.

His comments followed airstrikes by Israeli warplanes on tents housing displaced Palestinians near Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, resulting in multiple civilian deaths and injuries.

Fischer also dismissed media claims suggesting that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had blocked weapons exports to Israel, emphasizing that Germany’s stance had not changed.

He noted, “We have spoken here often, we have presented this before the International Court of Justice, the minister has spoken out, and our position has not changed.”

Last year, Germany approved arms exports to Israel worth 326.5 million euros (US$363.5 million), although approvals dropped significantly this year, totaling only 14.5 million euros (US$15.7 million) from January to 21 August.

Amid these developments, Goh emphasized that Love Aid Singapore, as a humanitarian outreach group, strives to remain neutral in political matters despite its pro-Palestinian stance.

“We are here to help the Palestinians with our humanitarian work and, if possible, avoid any political trappings as a result of our stand,” he explained.

In light of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, Love Aid Singapore has submitted an application to the COC for a new NGO—a humanitarian entity with established contacts in Gaza.

Goh has requested an expedited review of this application, expressing hope that the new collaboration can commence swiftly.

“We hope to begin work by next week in Gaza with the new charity group,” he stated.

The organization plans to gradually transfer all initiatives from IRO to the new group to ensure that Gaza Aid charity work continues without interruption.

“Nothing will be shortchanged; everything will resume as much as possible, if not all,” Goh reassured supporters.

Despite the challenges presented by this setback, Goh remains committed to providing aid to the suffering Palestinians in Gaza.

Since Israel launched its war against Hamas in Gaza last October, over 42,200 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 99,000 have been injured, predominantly women and children.

According to the United Nations, Israel has also prohibited the entry of food and essential supplies into Northern Gaza since October, putting 1 million people at risk of starvation.

Continue Reading

Trending