Sinwar Hours Before the October 7th Massacre

On Thursday evening, the IDF confirmed the elimination of Yahya Sinwar, the Head of the Hamas terror organization and the mastermind behind the October 7th Massacre. Sinwar, was killed by IDF soldiers during an operation in Rafah. Today, I will be sharing newly declassified footage and details of Sinwar’s movements in the hours before and during the war—a glimpse into the life of the man who orchestrated unimaginable terror, all while ensuring his own safety by hiding under the feet of his own people.

Sinwar didn’t just prepare to attack; he prepared to hide.

The IDF, in coordination with the ISA, uncovered footage from October 6, 2023, just hours before the massacre unfolded. The footage shows Sinwar fleeing with his family into one of Hamas’ vast underground tunnel networks located in Khan Yunis. Inside, beds, pillows, food, water, and even a television were seen.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, IDF Spokesperson, addressed the world with a clear message:

“This footage reveals Yahya Sinwar just hours before the October 7th Massacre, hiding his family and personal belongings deep within Hamas’ underground tunnel network. This is a luxury the people of Gaza never had, as Sinwar consistently prioritized his own life and Hamas terrorists over the civilians he claims to represent.”

Then, on October 7th, the most brutal attack in Israel’s history began. As chaos unfolded above ground, Sinwar stayed hidden below ground. Maximizing harm to Israeli and Gazan civilians while minimizing harm to himself.

I want to remind you—hours before this Sinwar was busy taking his TV down to his tunnel, to hide beneath his civilians, while his terrorists carry out the brutal attack that he planned. Hamas leaders have said in the past, and Sinwar further demonstrated-

Hamas took the money, intended for the civilian population of Gaza, and used it to build tunnels to protect their terrorists, NOT THEIR CIVILIANS.

In February, during operations in Khan Yunis, our troops found one of Sinwar’s underground shelters stocked with essential items for a long term stay

IDF pressure in the area eventually forced Sinwar to flee south to Rafah, where he thought he could once again hide from justice.

Last month, Sinwar’s DNA was found just a few hundred meters from a tunnel in the area of Tel al-Sultan in Rafah, where six Israeli hostages—Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino—were brutally murdered by Hamas. Sinwar continued to run but his escape came to an end last Wednesday.

The Elimination of Yahya Sinwar

In a decisive strike, IDF forces eliminated Sinwar in the area of Tel al-Sultan in Rafah. Additional footage from this operation shows the precision and professionalism of the IDF. This successful mission is the result of a year of operational and intelligence efforts to bring Sinwar and other Hamas leaders to justice.

This further strengthens Israel's determination to dismantle Hamas' capabilities and terror infrastructure to create the conditions to bring home the remaining 101 hostages who are still being held captive in the Gaza Strip.

Let’s be clear: our war is with Hamas, not the people of Gaza. Yahya Sinwar spent years plotting the massacre of Israeli civilians while hiding behind the very people he claimed to lead. As the IDF continues its mission to dismantle Hamas and bring home the hostages, the world must recognize the true nature of Hamas’ corrupt and self-serving regime.

---

Additional Operational Updates:

To keep you informed, here are some additional updates on our other fronts:

• Yesterday, an airdrop of 81 food packages was completed in the area of Khan Yunis, in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates.

  • This operation is part of our broader humanitarian aid effort carried out in coordination with 13 different countries, through 141 airdrop missions that have been conducted in recent months over 10,000 food and medical supply packages have been airdropped across the Gaza Strip.

• On the northern front, Hezbollah’s rocket and UAV attacks continue - just yesterday (October 19th) approximately 200 projectiles that were fired by the Hezbollah terrorist organization crossed from Lebanon into Israel.

  • The IDF will continue to defend the State of Israel and its people against the threat posed by the Hezbollah terrorist organization.

• Over the weekend 8 soldiers fell during battle and 9 were injured, my thoughts are with their families and wish those injured a speedy recovery. Their dedication, even in the face of unimaginable risks, is a testament to their courage and resolve.