From Refugee to Martyr: The Legacy of Yahya Al-Sinwar

A Statement from The Bronx Anti-War Coalition Commemorating the Martyrdom of Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Al-Sinwar, Commander of Al-Aqsa Flood Battle

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The Bronx Anti-War Coalition joins millions across the world in commemoration of the martyrdom of Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Al-Sinwar, the brave hero, the freed prisoner, the national leader, and the head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas. Yahya Al-Sinwar was born in 1962 in Gaza’s Khan Younis Refugee camp and ascended to martyrdom in Rafah, fighting valiantly in direct confrontation with the enemy until his very last breath. 

He ascended with his gun and his keffiyeh, advancing and not retreating. Despite one of his arms being amputated, Sinwar used his other arm to throw debris at the enemy’s drone as his final act of defiance - just as the fighters of the first intifada used sticks and stones against the occupation. Sinwar ascended as he said he wished: “The greatest gift the enemy and occupation can give me is to assassinate me so that I can go to Allah as a martyr by their hand." His valor serves as an inspiration and a model to the free people of the world to join this sacred battle and path towards liberation with the same unending courage as his.

 For over 23 years, the legendary Yahya Al-Sinwar was imprisoned. During his imprisonment, he learned Hebrew, studied the enemies’ counterinsurgency strategies, and translated zionist texts to truly understand his enemy.  While “in the darkness of captivity in the occupation’s prisons in Palestine,” Sinwar also wrote his novel The Thorn and The Carnation based on true life events of his own and people he knew. “Dozens strived to copy it and attempt to hide it from the eyes and tainted hands of the torturers, exerting tremendous effort in doing so, working like ants to bring it into the light, to be accessible to readers, and perhaps to be depicted on screens…”. 

Although sentenced to four life sentences (426 years), Sinwar was freed by the resistance through the prisoner exchange of 2011. After being freed, Sinwar became deeply involved in Hamas’ political and military efforts. Sinwar's selection as the head of Hamas was deliberate. His life represented so many aspects of the people’s struggle: as a political prisoner, as the son of Nakba survivors, and as a child growing up in a refugee camp. His legacy includes helping organize the Great March of Return and planning the most historic operation we have ever witnessed: the Al-Aqsa Flood. 

Since the beginning of the operation, the enemy assumed he was hiding, but in reality, he was on the battlefield. He was martyred in battle on the front lines alongside the heroic fighter and commander of Al-Qassam's Tal Al-Sultan Brigade in the Rafah Battalion, Mohammed Hamdan (Abu Yousef), who also ascended to martyrdom, fighting to the last moment. Their martyrdom represents the valor of Hamas' leadership, who are committed to the same risks and sacrifices as the people of Gaza.

That is the resistance leaders—they do not hide in mansions; they are on the ground fighting for the liberation of Palestine, the greatest cause.

Yahya Al-Sinwar’s blood, and the blood of all our martyrs, nourish the soil of world revolution. As the speaker of Iran's Parliament, Mohammad-Bagher Qalibaf stated, "The images of Sinwar fighting until the end of his life will train thousands of Sinwars and Nasrallahs all over the world." His passing will only light the path towards liberation for the determined and steadfast fighters of Palestine. 

In the words of WOL leader Nerdeen Kiswani, "Resistance can never be killed." Sinwar’s martyrdom reminds us that resistance does not die with the martyrdom of leaders because the yearning for liberation lives on in the hearts of the people. While Sinwar’s legacy inspires those in West Asia to continue the struggle until victory, let it also echo here in the West for all of us to aspire to. 

May Allah have mercy on his soul.

Rest in power, Yahya Al-Sinwar. Your legacy lives on, inspiring those who continue the struggle you so valiantly led.

Glory to the martyrs!

Victory to the Palestinian Resistance and Axis of Resistance!