Middle East: In the eulogy of the martyr commander Yahya al-Sinwar, we stand today before a rare and exceptional figure who left an indelible mark in the history of Palestinian resistance and provided the world with a unique model of a resistance leader who neither feared death nor hesitated to make sacrifices for the just cause of his homeland.

Born in Khan Yunis in 1962, al-Sinwar grew up witnessing the suffering of his people under the yoke of occupation. This suffering was the driving force behind his early involvement in the resistance. He joined the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) upon its founding in 1987 and was one of the earliest founders of its military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades.

Al-Sinwar dedicated his life and efforts to resisting the occupation, doing everything in his power to develop the movement’s military and organizational capabilities. He later became one of Hamas’ most prominent leaders and a key figure in its history of challenge and achievement.

Al-Sinwar was arrested multiple times by the occupying forces and was sentenced to life in prison in 1988 for leading operations against the occupation. Yet, he never broke while imprisoned. Instead, he led even behind bars, laying the groundwork with his fellow detainees for a new generation of resistance. 

He believed that imprisonment was not the end of the struggle, but a temporary stop on the long road to liberation. His release during the “Shalit Deal” in 2011 marked a pivotal moment in his life, after which he returned to Gaza with even greater resolve to continue resisting and rebuilding the movement’s strength after the wars waged by the criminal Zionist entity on the Strip.

The Zionist occupation repeatedly tried to smear al-Sinwar’s image through its deceptive and biased media, especially in recent years when he led the movement as both a political and military leader. The occupation falsely claimed that he hid in tunnels and used Israeli prisoners as human shields, attempting to portray him as a cowardly leader who avoided direct confrontation.

However, al-Sinwar’s martyrdom in battle in October 2024, during a direct engagement with occupying forces, debunked all these lies. He appeared in Israeli media photos as a brave fighter, clad in his military vest, holding his weapon to the very last breath of his life, painting a heroic picture of a leader unafraid of death, who stood firm against the enemy until the end.

Yahya al-Sinwar’s martyrdom is not only a loss for Hamas but for the entire Palestinian people and for all those worldwide who believe in the justice of the Palestinian cause. Yet, his martyrdom also represents a victory for the values of resistance and steadfastness, which he championed throughout his life. His continuous struggle, whether in prisons or on the battlefield, reflects an unbreakable will that never yielded to the oppression of the occupation.

Al-Sinwar knew how to unite the various components of the Palestinian people. He played a significant role in strengthening national unity and managing the affairs of Gaza with remarkable political and military wisdom. He succeeded in turning Gaza into an impregnable fortress against Zionist aggression. 

Despite the siege and international pressure, al-Sinwar and his fellow leaders in Hamas stood firm, preserving the spirit of resistance and working to enhance its capabilities, relying on the Palestinian people as their source of strength and legitimacy, as well as the support of the Axis of Resistance countries who sacrificed dearly to empower the Palestinian resistance.

Yahya al-Sinwar, the commander who knew nothing but confrontation, will remain an eternal symbol in the memory of Palestinian generations and a source of inspiration for all who walk the path of resistance. 

He proved with his pure blood that true leaders are those who stand at the frontlines, unafraid of the enemy and unwavering in their principled stances. He gave his life for Palestine, leaving behind a legacy of struggle that future generations will continue to follow.

May God have mercy on the martyr commander Yahya al-Sinwar, grant him paradise, and make his martyrdom a beacon for all resistance fighters and a motivation to continue the struggle until the complete liberation of Palestinian land and the establishment of an independent state with Quds as its capital.

Glory and eternity to our righteous martyrs… It is indeed a jihad: victory or martyrdom.