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Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar eliminated in Palestinian civilian’s home – Israel News

Matte Jr
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar eliminated in Palestinian civilian’s home – Israel News

Palestinian Rafah resident Ashraf Abo Taha, owner of the house where Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was eliminated, was “shocked” to discover the terrorist leader had used his home, he told the BBC on Sunday.

After seeing drone footage of Sinwar’s elimination on Ibn Sena Street in Rafah, southern Gaza, Taha reportedly recognized the house he evacuated in May.

Taha’s daughter had originally shown the footage, being the first to identify her family’s home, which was originally met with disbelief, according to Taha.

“I thought ‘yes, this is my house’ and I saw the photos and I was shocked,” Taha said.

The chair from which former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar threw debris at an IDF drone in his final moments, Tel es-Sultan, Gaza Strip, October 20, 2024. (credit: Chen Shimmel)

Evacuating Rafah

International parties attempted to pressure Israel not to enter Rafah, despite the discovery of two hostages and significant Hamas infrastructure there. Despite pressure, Israeli forces entered Rafah and evacuated residents sheltering there. It was in Rafah that the IDF would later discover the murdered bodies of six hostages executed by their Hamas captors.

Although the terrorist leader was killed in Taha’s home, the Gaza man denies having any connection with him.

“My brothers and children and I never had anything to do with it,” he said, explaining that he had no idea how Sinwar ended up there.

While it is not possible to fully verify whether Taha’s home is the same building in which Sinwar was killed, BBC Verify found that Taha’s images of the home’s window arches, exterior decorations on the doors, shelves and armchairs matched those in the footage.

The house, which Taha said he built together with his brothers, cost him NIS 200,000 (approximately US$53,650), he said.

“What happened saddened me a lot, the house I built and all my payments are gone,” he said. “Only God can compensate us.”

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Taha mourned much of his lost possessions, which he said were purchased by his parents and had sentimental significance.



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