Hamas leader who deceived Israel is top target for assassination. Five years ago, Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, strategically advocated for a ceasefire with Israel, emphasizing a desire to shift focus from conflict to governance.
Recent events, particularly the orchestrated Oct. 7 assault on Israel by Hamas, have prompted a reassessment of Sinwar’s intentions.
Israeli officials now admit to a degree of complacency, believing that Hamas was more focused on civil affairs than violence.
However, the reality unfolded quite differently. The Israeli military, having reduced surveillance along the Gaza border, found itself facing a meticulously planned attack by Hamas.
Analysts suggest that Sinwar skillfully manipulated Israeli perceptions, fostering a false sense of stability in Gaza while plotting a major offensive.
As the Israeli military engages in a mission to dismantle Hamas, with casualties exceeding 11,000 according to the Hamas-run health ministry, Sinwar has emerged as a key figure.
Regarded as the mastermind behind the assault, he is now the prime target for assassination, presumed to be sheltering in a Gaza tunnel.
The intimate enmity between Sinwar and the Israelis has deep roots, spanning decades of mutual observation.
Sinwar, born in a humble neighborhood in Khan Younis, co-founded Hamas’s military wing during the late 1980s Palestinian uprising.
Despite imprisonment, he remained a potent force, developing a profound understanding of Hebrew and Israeli society.
Notably, Sinwar underwent a life-saving surgery for a brain tumor while in prison, an event that Israeli intelligence attempted to leverage for recruitment.
His eventual release in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange involving over 1,000 Palestinians for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit marked his return to Hamas leadership.
Sinwar’s strategic deception extended beyond military planning. He collaborated with the Palestinian Authority to secure Israeli work permits for thousands of Gazans, seemingly promoting peaceful coexistence.
However, Israeli security officials claim these workers were involved in gathering intelligence, facilitating the Oct. 7 attack.
In the aftermath of the assault, Sinwar has maintained a low profile, refraining from public statements.
As Hamas leader who deceived Israel is top target for assassination, the complexity of the relationship between Sinwar and the Israelis comes to light, emphasizing the intricate dance of deception and aggression in the volatile region.
