The Israeli military released a video of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, showing him preparing for a prolonged stay in an underground tunnel hours before Hamas' surprise attack on October 7. Sinwar is accused of masterminding the attack that triggered the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The army announced that Sinwar was killed by Israel in a targeted operation earlier this week.

Footage released by the Israeli military on Saturday showed Sinwar, his wife and children going to an underground bunker under their family home in Gaza on the night of October 6.

According to Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the family appeared to be settling there for a long-term stay.

In the video, Sinwar and his son are seen repeatedly climbing up and down a tunnel, carrying basic necessities including food, water, pillows, a plasma screen and mattresses. The footage provides a clear picture of Sinwar's foresight and preparedness to remain underground for extended periods of time when Hamas launched an attack the next day.

The Israeli army had earlier shared drone footage of Sinwar's last moments. Sinwar, who has not been seen in public since the start of the war, was reportedly found by Israeli forces during an intense shelling in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Drone footage shows the wounded Sinwar throwing an object at the drone as Israeli forces surround him in a ruined building. Footage of an Israeli tank firing into the building where Sinwar is believed to be hiding has also been released.

An Israeli autopsy determined that Sinwar died of a gunshot wound to the head, according to a report in The New York Times.

Yahya Sinwar assumed leadership in Gaza after the death of Ismail Haniya at the start of the war. Sinwar had a history of military and political ties to Hamas and was considered one of the movement's most powerful figures. His death is seen as a major blow to Hamas.

Source: NDTV