Yahya Sinwar killing: Did Israel military make a 'big mistake' by releasing video of Hamas chief's last moments?

Many users praised Israeli forces for "avenging" the October 7 attack and eliminating yet another high-profile target. Israeli supporters called Sinwar’s death as “a fitting end for a terrorist.”

But some pointed out that the evocative visual of Sinwar flinging a stick at the drone could be viewed as a final act of defiance, something that may give Hamas a lasting narrative in support of its cause.

Though Israeli forces may have released the footage in a heroic impulse, several people now believe that it may have been a “huge mistake”.

Formerly a very public figure, Sinwar had not been seen since the October 2023 attacks, which led to Israel suggesting that the Hamas chief was hiding in tunnels and using human shields.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly asserted that Sinwar, 61, was concealing himself in Gaza strip's tunnel network, surrounded by bodyguards and reportedly using kidnapped Israeli hostages as human shields to prevent attacks.

Sinwar, however, was discovered with only a small security detail. Contrary to earlier claims, no hostages were present at the location.

“Yahya Sinwar is now an eternal Legend. His iconic last moments will always portray the reality of resistance and the meaning of being a leader who gave his life for liberation and for his people,” a pro-Hamas user said on X.

Even after eliminating Sinwar, Netanyahu vowed to keep up the war, which in recent weeks expanded from fighting against Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza into an invasion of southern Lebanon and the bombardment of large swathes of the country.

"The war, my dear ones, is not yet over," Netanyahu told Israelis, saying fighting would continue until hostages held by Hamas are released.

An X user said that by releasing the video of Yahya Sinwar's final moments, Israel has “made a huge mistake” and added that in doing so, they have made him a “legend or martyr” as he was seen defying Israel with his last bit of strength.

IDF soldiers brazenly flouted military protocol, dealt a devastating blow to the Israeli political establishment by leaking Sinwar's explosive photo/video infuriating high-ranking officials, said another.

Though Israel has successfully eliminated every Hamas leader since the 1990s, the organisation has consistently found new leadership. Rather than signaling Hamas's downfall, the video released by Israel might strengthen the group's unity and inspire Sinwar's supporters.

“By releasing drone footage and where and how Yahya Sinwar fought to the last minute and how he was killed in Rafah, Gaza, Israel lost the narrative and made him a hero among the people worldwide,” another X user wrote.

Potential successors to Sinwar's position include Mahmoud al-Zahar, who is both a founding member and senior figure in Hamas, and Mohammed Sinwar, Yahya's brother.

Hamas, meanwhile, confirmed that its leader, Yahya Sinwar, was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, and the militant group reiterated its stance that hostages taken from Israel a year ago will not be released until there is a cease-fire in Gaza and a withdrawal of Israeli troops.

In a statement, Hamas heralded Sinwar as a hero who “ascended as a heroic martyr, advancing and not retreating, brandishing his weapon, engaging and confronting the occupation army at the forefront of the ranks.”

(With agencies inputs)