Yahya Sinwar is a prominent Palestinian political figure and leader of Hamas. Born in 1962 in the Khan Younes refugee camp in Gaza, his family was displaced from Ashkelon during the 1948 Palestine War. He studied at the Islamic University of Gaza, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Arabic Studies. Sinwar has been deeply involved in Hamas from its early days, co-founding its security apparatus and playing a central role in its operations.
In 1989, Sinwar was sentenced to life imprisonment for orchestrating the abduction and killing of Israeli soldiers and Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel. He spent 22 years in prison before being released in a 2011 prisoner exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. After his release, Sinwar rose quickly within Hamas, becoming the group's leader in Gaza in 2017 and eventually the head of Hamas's Political Bureau in 2024.
Sinwar has been a key figure in the ongoing conflict with Israel, promoting both militant resistance and support for popular protests, such as the 2018–2019 Gaza border demonstrations. He survived an assassination attempt by Israel in 2021 and is widely believed to have orchestrated the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. His leadership is closely tied to Hamas's relationship with Iran.
Designated as a terrorist by the US in 2015, Sinwar faces international scrutiny for his actions. In May 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced plans to seek his arrest for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
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