Wife of slain Hamas leader Sinwar held ‘Birkin bag’ worth $32,000 in footage of her October 6 escape | Video

The wife of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was seen with a Birkin bag worth $32,000 in newly released footage, recorded just a day before the Islamic group launched its attack on Israel on the 7 October last year.

IDF spokesperson Lt.-Col. Avichay Adraee highlighted the contrast between this luxury item and the dire conditions in Gaza, where many residents struggle to obtain basic necessities. In an article on X, Adraee questioned whether Sinwar’s wife had entered a tunnel during their escape on October 6 while carrying the expensive bag.

The images, released by the IDF, show Sinwar and his family fleeing just hours before the October 7 attacks. The Israeli military described how the family spent hours gathering supplies for an extended stay underground. The bag in question is believed to be a Hermes Birkin 25, a luxury item worth tens of thousands of dollars, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Life and death of Sinwar

Before his death, Sinwar’s net worth was estimated at around $3 billion, and he was found with thousands of shekels on him. The juxtaposition of his family’s wealth and the suffering of Gaza residents sparked reactions on social media, with some users sarcastically commenting on the use of luxury items in such a context.

On Saturday, the Israeli military released images showing Sinwar preparing for a prolonged stay in hiding in Gaza hours before the Palestinian group launched its October 7 attack. Sinwar is accused of masterminding the unprecedented attack last year that sparked the current war. He was killed by Israeli forces earlier this week.

Footage released by the Israeli military showed Sinwar with his wife and children in a tunnel that army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said was beneath the family home in Khan Yunis. “You can see how Sinwar and his family members escape to an underground compound beneath their house on the night of October 6, just hours before the brutal massacre,” Hagari said during an all-televised press briefing. showing grainy images.

“Water, pillows, plasma screen”

Sinwar, dressed in a plain t-shirt, walks through the tunnel with his two children and his wife. “They stay alone for hours. Sinwar and his son go up and down, equipping themselves with plates of food, water, pillows, a plasma screen, mattresses and other necessities for a long stay,” Hagari said.

The spokesperson showed images of the underground complex including toilets, showers and a kitchen. He added that food, cash and documents were also found there. The release of the video comes days after Sinwar was killed by troops in Rafah, southern Gaza, in a firefight that ended with the Hamas leader trapped and alone in a destroyed building .

Drone footage, also released by the Israeli military after his death, showed Sinwar, apparently injured, throwing an object at the drone in his final moments. The army also shared footage showing an Israeli tank firing at the building Sinwar was in. The Hamas leader, who replaced his assassinated predecessor Ismail Haniyeh a few months ago, had not been seen in public throughout the war.

(With contributions from the agency)