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Who is really behind the hostage deal in Gaza?

Unveiled: The Dark Secrets Behind Hamas’s New Leader Mohammed Sinwar

Fresh insights have emerged regarding Mohammed Sinwar, the newly appointed leader of Hamas in Gaza, following the elimination of his older brother Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces in October.

Eliana Fleming
Eliana Fleming
2 min read
Yehya Sinwar attends a rally of the Hamas Movement in Gaza City
Photo by Attia Muhammed/Flash90

As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Mohammed has assumed full control of Hamas operations in Gaza and is now the key figure in negotiations with Israel.

Under Mohammed’s leadership, Hamas has ramped up recruitment efforts, offering food and medical aid to families as an incentive. These recruitment efforts are primarily conducted during funerals and prayer gatherings, which has led to an estimated 15,000 new operatives joining Hamas, despite significant damage to its infrastructure from Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operations.

Mohammed, now 50 years old, was exposed to extremist ideologies from an early age. Growing up in a family heavily involved in Hamas, his brother Yahya began attending violent sermons by Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin when Mohammed was still a child. Mohammed’s connection with Yassin laid the groundwork for his radicalization, and later, his relationship with Mohammed Deif, one of the masterminds behind the October 7 massacre, further solidified his extremist views.

At just 13 years old, Mohammed was arrested for his involvement in terrorist activities, and by his late teens, he was already attracting unwanted attention. His first arrest in 1991 marked the start of a turbulent decade in and out of various prisons, including time spent in Palestinian custody due to Israeli pressure.

Mohammed is widely believed to be responsible for orchestrating the 2006 kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Known as "The Shadow" for his ability to operate covertly, Mohammed turned Shalit’s capture into a family victory. The soldier became a bargaining chip in a high-stakes prisoner swap, which led to the release of Mohammed’s brother Yahya from Israeli prison in 2011.

The brothers’ bond, however, has proven lethal. Together, they were instrumental in planning the horrific October 7 attack, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli casualties and the abduction of 251 people. While Yahya has been killed, many are now focused on holding the remaining perpetrators of the bloodshed accountable.


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