Israel releases video of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, family in Gaza tunnel on eve of Oct 7 attack
Israel has released a footage showing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on the night before the October 7 attack . He is seen fleeing with his family into a tunnel below his home in Khan Younis.
The footage was released following Sinwar's death in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
🎥DECLASSIFIED FOOTAGE:
Sinwar hours before the October 7 massacre: taking down his TV into his tunnel, hiding underneath his civilians, and preparing to watch his terrorists murder, kindap and rape. pic.twitter.com/wTAF9xAPLU
— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) October 19, 2024
The footage shows the Hamas ex-chief Sinwar, his wife and children moving belongings, including water, pillows and mattresses, and a television set.
"Even on the eve before the brutal massacre, Sinwar was busy with his survival and the survival of his family,” Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a press conference where he showed the footage.
"A few hours before the massacre, Sinwar and his family escaped alone to the tunnel...they went back and forth with sacks of food, water, pillows, a plasma television, mattresses and other supplies for a long stay...Hours before the massacre, Sinwar only cared about himself and his family, while he sent terrorists for the murderous attack on Israeli children, women and men," Hagari said.
He showed photos of the underground compound, which had toilets, showers, a kitchen, beds, uniforms, safes, lots of cash, documents and other intel in the tunnel.
The spokesman said that in February, the IDF reached the underground fortress Sinwar had built in Khan Younis, but he had fled shortly before.
Hamas, meanwhile, said Sinwar died heroically engaging in battle, calling Hagari's remarks "blatant lies". Drone footage from earlier this week showed Sinwar critically wounded in his last moments, throwing an object at the drone. An autopsy found that Sinwar was killed by a gunshot to the head.
With IANS inputs