DayofPal-Yahya Sinwar is an icon leader marked by a piercing gaze and formidable strength, a truth well-known to the Israeli leaders during his 22 long years of imprisonment that robbed him of his youth.
In his final moments, Israeli soldiers watched him fiercely engaging in a battle, firing shots, launching grenades, and hurling his stick at a hovering drone.
As a political leader, he remained unyielding and resolute against his enemies. Yet, beneath that hardened exterior, reminiscent of a hawk, lay a softer soul; with his family, loved ones, and people, a radiant smile would invariably break through.
The world recognized him in his last moments, yet few knew that he was a father who had spent his years in prison dreaming of a family. When his dreams finally came true, the demands of the resistance drew him away from his loved ones. For the martyr Yahya Sinwar, the loss of a normal family life became an all too real part of his existence with his children and wife.
“He was generous and kind, he loved them dearly and longed to take them to the beach. To bring joy to their lives, he once bought them a small portable swimming pool and hung a swing in their modest home. He decided to play with them there during the rare times he returned home, instead of taking them to the beach like any ordinary family would.”
This was shared by Imad Abu Zumar, the brother of Samar Abu Zumar, who is the wife of Yahya Sinwar, to Al-Risala newspaper. Imad acknowledged the limited encounters he had with Sinwar, yet those brief moments were sufficient for him to understand his character.
Imad Abu Zumar continues: “He was kind, gentle, and exceptionally warm, with a character marked by good morals; these were his most notable traits. When he came to propose to my sister Samar, he was very humble and didn’t care for acquiring many clothes—he wore the same two shirts for all occasions.”
“Even on his wedding day, he borrowed a suit jacket from a friend to wear for the ceremony. He was truly ascetic in this life, may Allah have mercy on him,” Imad added.
Imad reflects on Yahya Sinwar that he was never capable of malice, betrayal, or harshness to his people and loved ones. He was selfless and kind, with no hint of rudeness in his heart, nor did he ever flatter anyone insincerely.
Sinwar’s mother in law adored him. When he married, he told her that ‘I really miss Hajja Rida’s cooking,’ referring to his mother, who had passed away before his release.
“He also asked my mother to prepare traditional dishes like hamasees, pomegranate stew, tripe, and okra—simple, beloved foods. He had no taste for ready-made meals,” Imad revealed.
His mother-in-law often used to say, ‘I love my daughter because of her husband,’ reflecting her deep admiration for Sinwar’s patience and strength.
Imad also added that he can’t remember his sister ever complaining about him; he was always gentle and loving, truly cherishing her.
What impressed Imad Abu Zumar the most during his limited encounters with Sinwar was his deep dedication to his children.
Sinwar always prioritized feeding his children first, waiting until he was sure they had all eaten before he touched his own meal. Out of concern for their safety, he had even banned them from using any technology. Despite his son Ibrahim just turning 12, he was not permitted to have a mobile phone.
Yahya Sinwar was a passionate advocate for his wife’s education. Samar is a Palestinian woman with a master’s degree; she devoted herself to motherhood first and foremost, making considerable sacrifices to protect her family’s safety in challenging circumstances.
Together, they welcomed three children Ibrahim, the eldest son, then Abdullah, and their daughter Rida, named in honor of Yahya’s mother.
His wife’s family, Abu Zumar, like many others, has been forced to move from tent to tent. This struggle is made even more poignant by the plight of the mother of the Sinwar’s wife, who is battling spinal cancer. Bedridden for months, she has had to sleep on the ground of a tent without a bed, enduring the pain of being denied proper treatment and medication.
Imad added that “Over the years, my sister never once complained about her husband Yahya. Rather, her heart was always filled with concern for him, and she often spoke fondly of his many wonderful qualities.”
Imad also reminisces about a moment he shared with leader Sinwar, Abu Ibrahim: “One day, he came to our home as a guest. I was holding a trash bag when he insisted on helping me carry it. After we reached the bin, he threw it in with a sense of purpose. However, the bag tore open near the bin, spilling its contents.”
“Without a second thought, Abu Ibrahim knelt down, gathered the scattered items, and ensured everything was disposed of properly. This gesture highlighted not only his humility but also his commitment to taking responsibility, no matter how small the task,” Imad revealed.
Because of his complex security situation and his unwavering dedication to leading the largest resistance faction in Palestine, Hamas, he was unable to provide his children with even the simplest and complete joys of childhood.
Abu Zumar adds, “The most challenging aspect was his prolonged absence from home. His work often kept him away for days, leaving a persistent ache in his heart for the time he couldn’t share with his children.”
According to his family, Sinwar had always struggled with a deep sense of guilt, knowing he couldn’t play the fatherly role they deserved, all because of the complex security situation that denied them even the most basic joys of childhood in their father’s embrace.
The final image of Sinwar’s departure, engaging in the midst of a battle, debunked all the Israeli propaganda that suggested he was hiding in a tunnel with his family.
Imad emphasized that he, along with his children, wife, and family, was never in hiding; he remained steadfast among his fighters and his people. He embodied a ‘school of resistance’ that imparted harsh lessons to the Israeli occupation, even in his last moments.
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