Fleeing with wife and children - IDF releases footage of Yahya Sinwar from Khan Younis tunnels

IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari issued a statement on Tuesday evening that revealed video footage of Hamas military leader, Yahya Sinwar, fleeing tunnels under Khan Younis. 

The video was discovered by soldiers who had investigated the tunnel only a few days ago. They located a security camera Sinwar had left behind, dismantled it and retrieved the recordings. Sinwar was identified partially through the use of artificial intelligence image analysis. 

At the beginning of his remarks, Hagari referred to the tunnel compounds used by senior Hamas figures below the Gaza Strip. 

“In recent days, during the activity of special units, dozens of meters underground were exposed - in which we found video from a Hamas security camera installed in the tunnel," Hagari said. "The camera shows Sinwar running away with his children, fleeing with one of his wives, being led away by his brother.” 

According to Hagari, the footage is from Oct. 10, and shows Sinwar fleeing to a special underground compound which was prepared in advance. No abductees were seen in the video. 

“The intelligence we are revealing will enable us to reach senior officials and abductees, and we are determined to continue to do so," Hagari said, adding: "We have reached most of Hamas' strategic underground compounds and we will reach others as well.” 

The IDF spokesman said that soldiers found a compound below the cemetery in the Bani Suheila area in the heart of Khan Younis, which contained “bedrooms of senior Hamas figures.” 

“In the same area, we raided a compound where abductees were being held," Hagari stated. 

He said IDF troops are on the hunt for Sinwar and other senior officials. 

“It will not stop until we catch him alive or dead, we determined to do so and we will catch him,” Hagari said.

Hagari compared the situation of Hamas leaders to that of Gaza civilians caught in the fighting. 

“Senior Hamas figures live in good conditions with food and services and safes with millions of dollars in cash.” 

Hagari also said that the IDF has recently captured relatives of senior Hamas military wing officials during operations in Khan Younis. 

“In the last few months, IDF and ISA (Shin Bet) forces have been fighting in the Khan Younis area, the capital of Hamas,” the spokesman said. “At the beginning of the month, we arrested close family members from the inner circle of senior leaders of the military arm in close proximity to Yahya Sinwar.” 

He said those who were arrested were taken for questioning by Shin Bet.  

“Among those arrested is the father of the brigade commander Rafa Salameh, commander of the Khan Younis Brigade, and the son of Hosni Hamdan, head of Hamas systems.” 

“They provide us with a lot of intelligence. We didn't think four months ago that we would operate underground.” 

According to reports in Hebrew media, recent intelligence has led IDF leaders to believe that Sinwar has been out of contact with other Hamas leaders for at least two weeks. It is doubtful, therefore, that he has had any contact with mediators involved in the hostage release negotiations.