The Palestinian movement Hamas has reportedly demanded the return of the body of its leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in Gaza in October 2024, as part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel. This claim was made by Al Hadath TV channel.
According to its sources, Hamas seeks the repatriation of Sinwar’s body, which was taken to Israel, during the initial phase of the ceasefire deal. In exchange, Israel has allegedly requested the return of the remains of soldier Hadar Goldin, who died in combat in Gaza in 2014. Al Hadath reports that Hamas has not yet given a definitive response and has requested a delay until the end of this week.
Meanwhile, Al Arabiya TV reported that Israel continues to negotiate with intermediaries on the expulsion of key Palestinian figures from Gaza, including Sinwar's younger brother Mohammed and several prisoners to be released as part of the truce deal. Israeli authorities, according to the channel’s sources, are demanding that those leaving Gaza be barred from returning for at least five years. No details have been provided about the potential destinations for these leaders if mediators approve their expulsion.
Yahya Sinwar led Hamas in Gaza from 2017 and was elected head of the movement’s political bureau on August 6, 2023, after the assassination of his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran. Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces on October 16 in southern Gaza. Following his death, Hamas decided not to appoint a new political bureau chief until internal elections scheduled for March 2025. Until then, the movement is governed collectively by several political bureau members.
On January 13, 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that Sinwar's brother Mohammed had allegedly become the new Hamas leader in Gaza. The report claims that militants in Gaza refused to follow collective leadership and now "operate independently" under Mohammed Sinwar, who is about 50 years old and known as "The Shadow" for his ability to evade Israeli intelligence.
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Based on TASS materials