Millions in cash, private shower and more: Inside Gaza bunker that Yahya Sinwar hid in

Following the death of Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas leader widely known as the mastermind behind the October 7 attack on Israel, new revelations have surfaced regarding his life in hiding.

Sinwar, who led Hamas’ operations in Gaza, was found to have been living in a bunker in Khan Younis, Gaza, which contained an array of provisions and luxuries that painted a stark contrast to the dire conditions of civilians above ground.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) uncovered the bunker, shedding light on how Sinwar survived while directing Hamas’ actions in the ongoing conflict.

What items were found in the Sinwar’s bunker?

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Sinwar’s bunker, initially discovered in February, offered a window into how the Hamas chief had been living as Israeli forces pursued him. According to footage released by the IDF, the bunker was stocked with food, supplies, and luxuries that allowed Sinwar to endure the harsh conditions of war outside.

The IDF found a fully functional kitchen filled with food rations, including supplies from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This sparked renewed accusations that Hamas was intercepting humanitarian aid meant for the people of Gaza.

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BREAKING: Israel Defense Force releases a video of Yahya Sinwar’s bunker in which the Hamas Terrorist lived for the past months.

Nice showers, a kitchen and a lot of money. pic.twitter.com/kS8yoihvop

— Faraz Pervaiz (@FarazPervaiz3) October 20, 2024

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In addition to the food supplies, the bunker featured several bathrooms and showers, notably cleaner and more modern than those typically found in the extensive Hamas tunnel network. The soldier giving the tour of the bunker pointed out that Sinwar had access to a personal shower, a rare luxury in the war-torn region.

Sinwar’s living quarters were also filled with hygiene products, including several bottles of cologne and tonics, underlining the stark difference between his lifestyle and that of the ordinary Gazans suffering under the siege.

Did IDF find any intel in the bunker?

Beyond basic amenities, the bunker contained a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, indicating that Sinwar had prepared for a prolonged stay. His personal quarters included lockers housing arms, while a large safe beside his bed reportedly held “millions” of shekels in cash.

“He lives here in a good way, with all his millions, while the civilians above ground are living in poverty and are starving,” an IDF soldier remarked in one of the videos.

🎥DECLASSIFIED FOOTAGE:

Sinwar hours before the October 7 massacre: taking down his TV into his tunnel, hiding underneath his civilians, and preparing to watch his terrorists murder, kindap and rape. pic.twitter.com/wTAF9xAPLU

— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) October 19, 2024

The discovery of such a large sum of cash further underscored allegations of corruption within Hamas’ leadership.

Over the years, Sinwar and other Hamas leaders have faced criticism for amassing wealth and living in luxury while ordinary Palestinians suffer from poverty and the ongoing blockade.

Why did Sinwar flee from his bunker?

Despite the advanced setup of the bunker, Sinwar was forced to flee as the IDF intensified its operations in Khan Younis. Israeli military officials believe Sinwar initially directed Hamas forces from this bunker in the first half of the war. However, as Israeli forces closed in, Sinwar escaped further south to Rafah, where he remained in hiding.

Israel’s Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the IDF spokesperson, confirmed that Sinwar was found in a second tunnel complex in Rafah, built specifically for Hamas VIPs. “The complex had everything he needed: television, food, sofas, beds, means of communication and control,” Hagari said.

In Rafah, IDF forces tracked Sinwar’s movements through intelligence and DNA samples. A tissue containing Sinwar’s DNA was found in one of the tunnels, helping the IDF narrow down his location.

Ultimately, he was killed on October 16 during an Israeli military operation. Sinwar was one of three gunmen spotted by Israeli soldiers from the Bislamach Brigade, but his identity was only confirmed later through further investigation.

How did Sinwar use civilians to hide in Gaza?

IDF officials were quick to highlight the disparity between Sinwar’s lifestyle and the hardships faced by Gaza’s population. Sinwar, who rose to power after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, became one of Israel’s primary targets after orchestrating the October 7 attack.

IDF footage showed Sinwar and his family fleeing into the tunnels beneath Gaza on the eve of the attack, with sacks of food, water, and personal supplies in hand.

Raw footage of Yahya Sinwar’s last moments: pic.twitter.com/GJGDlu7bie

— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) October 17, 2024

His wife was reportedly carrying a Birkin handbag valued at $32,000, an item which drew further criticism of Hamas leadership’s lavish lifestyle in contrast to the suffering of ordinary Gazans.

“What we showed tonight proves again that the leaders of the Hamas terrorist organisation, whoever they are, do not care about the price that the people of Gaza pay,” Hagari stated. “They use them only as human shields and are preoccupied solely with their own survival.”

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Sinwar’s final months were spent in hiding, as Israeli forces relentlessly pursued him.

With inputs from agencies