In this episode of Witness to the Era of Sinwar, journalist Ahmed Mansour continues documenting testimonies about Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, with insights from Dr. Bassem Naim, Head of Political and Foreign Relations in Gaza.
Dr. Naim reveals that preparations for Operation Al-Aqsa Flood spanned decades, including 600 km of tunnels dug over 20 years. Sinwar played a crucial role in the final preparations for the historic events of October 7, 2023.
While Sinwar was a fierce warrior against the occupation, he was also known for his kindness and deep personal relationships. He balanced military strategy with efforts to ensure a better future for his children.
A deeply religious man, Sinwar strictly adhered to his daily spiritual practices, often stating: "If I don't complete my prayers tonight, I may not wake up tomorrow."
He viewed governance under occupation as an imposed necessity and worked towards Palestinian reconciliation to shift focus back to armed resistance.
Sinwar maintained great respect for others, including ideological opponents. He praised the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and advised his followers to preserve strong ties with Islamic Jihad.
Dr. Naim unveils details of Sinwar’s secret meeting with Mohammed Dahlan and its undisclosed objectives.
The episode explores Sinwar’s extraordinary capabilities—his sharp foresight, deep knowledge, strategic pragmatism, and disciplined time management. He even kept a stopwatch in his office counting down the exact duration of his leadership term.
This episode provides a rare glimpse into the mindset of a leader who reshaped the resistance movement.
Episode Index:
00:00 – Introduction
01:04 – First meeting with Yahya Sinwar
04:04 – Sinwar’s key personality traits
05:31 – The other side of Sinwar: Kindness and compassion
11:05 – Sinwar: A revolutionary or a statesman
14:30 – How Sinwar separated governance from resistance
16:55 – How did Sinwar manage public affairs
19:06 – Sinwar’s relationships with others
24:44 – Sinwar’s philosophy on dealing with the Palestinian Authority
29:36 – The secret meeting with Mohammed Dahlan: motives and background
34:00 – Sinwar’s political alliances
41:58 – Sinwar’s respect for Shura (consultation)
42:36 – Sinwar’s obsession with time management
44:06 – Sinwar’s extraordinary foresight and strategic mindset