The Note That Betrayed Sinwar: What IDF Found on His Body After He Was Killed
A note found on Yahya Sinwar's body after his elimination reveals a self-drawn map and code names for the extensive tunnel network he used for hiding, providing new insights into the terrorist leader's final movements and the IDF's next target.
A handwritten note found on the body of Yahya Sinwar after he was eliminated by the IDF has provided a rare glimpse into the mind of the top terrorist leader. The note, stained with his blood, contains a hand-drawn map of the tunnel network beneath the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah, where he was killed. It also includes code names for various hiding spaces he used while evading capture.
For a long time, Sinwar hid beneath the Gaza Strip, using his extensive knowledge of the tunnels to remain elusive. According to the note, he had specific escape routes planned in case he needed to flee IDF forces. As the IDF progressed in its mission to destroy the vast tunnel system under Rafah and specifically Tel al-Sultan, Sinwar was forced to move above ground to hide, a move that ultimately led to his elimination.
This discovery is particularly relevant as the IDF gears up for the next phase of its operation, which aims to seize control of Gaza City. A primary objective of this new phase is to locate and destroy the massive tunnel network beneath the city, which has been largely untouched since the beginning of the war. Military forces have gained vast experience in fighting in and destroying tunnels during their manoeuvres across the Strip. The destruction of this network is considered a critical step in crippling Hamas's ability to attack IDF troops and then disappear back into the ground.
During a tour of the Gaza Strip this week, the IDF Chief of Staff declared, "We have entered the second phase of Operation Gideon's Chariots to achieve the war's objectives." He added that a key mission remains the return of the hostages. The Chief of Staff affirmed, "We will continue to strike at Hamas's centers of gravity until its defeat. We are creating a sense of being hunted for them everywhere." Meanwhile, reports from Qatar indicate that Hamas leaders living abroad are taking enhanced security measures, fearing they may be targeted for assassination by Israel.