Israel collected DNA from Hamas leader in brain surgery

Sinwar was only released in 2011, after negotiations to allow Tel Aviv to secure the release of one of its kidnapped soldiers, Gilad Shalit. The soldier was exchanged for more than a thousand Palestinians who were being held by Israelis.

But it was in prison that the Palestinian discovered a brain tumor. In 2008, it would be operated and, since then, the country’s secret services have kept all its data.

Upon leaving prison, he quickly rose through the ranks of Hamas. His view was that Israel was not a political enemy. But an occupying power.

In a speech after his release, Sinwar called for the military wing of Hamas to kidnap Israeli soldiers to secure the release of more Palestinian prisoners. “The release of prisoners will only be achieved through the kidnapping of Jews and their exchange,” he said.

In 2017, he was elected leader of the group in Gaza and became the architect of Hamas’ military strategy, including the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israel. Central to this strategy was the agreement he reached with Iran in 2012.

With the death of other Hamas leaders, he ended up assuming complete command of the group in the middle of the year. His death, therefore, represents an important shock for Hamas and a critical point for the conflict in the Middle East.