Watch: Yahya Sinwar in tunnel hours before Oct. 7 attack, wife seen carrying $32,000 purse

A new image of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was released by Israel on Sunday (October 20), in which he is seen moving his belongings with his family members into a tunnel in Gaza hours before the October 7 attack on Tel Aviv.

Israel released the images after killing Sinwar in the southern Gaza town of Rafah on Wednesday October 16. In the video, Sinwar, his wife and children were moving their personal belongings, including a television, water, pillows and mattresses, through the tunnel which, according to the Israeli army spokesperson, counter -Admiral Daniel Hagari, was under their house in Khan Younis.

During the press conference, Hagari shared photos of the underground complex, which included toilets, showers and a kitchen. The IDF also found cash, food and documents in the tunnel.

Showing the footage released by the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), Israel said that Yahya Sinwar’s wife was carrying a handbag worth $32,000 (around Rs 27 lakh).

“The Sinwar woman pictured in this photo sneaking through the tunnels the night before October 7 – get this – holding a $32,000 Hermes Birkin bag in her hands! While Gazans endured hardship under Hamas, Sinwar and his family lived shamelessly in luxury, indulging in the deaths of others,” said the X service run by the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

See: Israel-Hamas war: thousands of Israelis demand an agreement to release hostages in Gaza

This assertion was repeated by the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee. He said that on one hand Sinwar’s family enjoyed a luxurious life and on the other Gaza residents struggled with poverty and many did not even have “enough money to feed themselves.”

Israel also released drone footage showing the seriously injured Sinwar’s final moments when he threw an object at the drone. According to the autopsy, Sinwar died of a gunshot to the head and one of his fingers was also severed.

(With contribution from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes great care to report accurately and responsibly on ongoing developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict following the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.