How Hamas chief Mohammed Sinwar broke a major wartime security protocol and paid for it dearly

A costly mistake of breaking security protocol to hold a security meeting at a Khan Younis tunnel in Gaza proved costly for Hamas's new chief, Mohammed Sinwar. Sinwar, brother of slain Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, died after Israel struck the tunnel, according to a report.

Sinwar's body was found by Hamas the next day, and they buried him quietly, according to a report that appeared in the Wall Street Journal. The death of Sinwar came as a blow to Hamas as it left a void in its leadership in Gaza. 

Israel announced a few days ago that it struck a tunnel where Sinwar was holed up but the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) did not confirm his death.  However, the WSJ report, quoting Arab and Hamas officials, said Sinwar did indeed die in the strike. The meeting of senior officials of the militant group was held in breach of Hamas security protocol which gave the IDF to hit several high-value targets, including Sinwar, the report added. The meeting was reportedly held to discuss their approach to ceasefire talks with Israel.

Hamas officials found Sinwar's body inside the tunnel the very next day. It was removed from the ruins of the tunnel and was buried in another tunnel, quietly. Hamas intended to give him a proper burial after the war, the report added.  

Another prominent leader Mohammad Shabana, commander of the group’s Rafah brigade, was also killed in the strike. 

It added that the hit proved Israel's intelligence capability and its precision and timing. "Sinwar was known to be particular about keeping a low profile, and only a handful of people usually knew about his movements or how to contact him. He operated largely behind the scenes, earning him the nickname 'Shadow'," Arab officials told the paper. 

 

Middle East