Yahya Sinwar’s wife ‘took $48,000 Birkin bag into hiding’: IDF
The Israeli Defence Forces have suggested that as well as taking a plasma TV and millions of shekels into hiding, the Hamas leader’s wife carried a luxury Hermes bag.
Yahya Sinwar’s wife was carrying a $US32,000 ($48,000) Birkin bag when she fled with the Hamas leader into hiding hours before the October 7 attack, the Israeli Defence Forces have suggested.
Over the weekend the IDF released footage it said showed Sinwar and his family preparing for a prolonged stay underground.
Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli troops last week, is widely believed to be the architect of the unprecedented attack that triggered the ongoing war.
The footage released by the Israeli military showed Sinwar with his wife and children in a tunnel that army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said was under the family home in Khan Yunis.
هل زوجة السنوار دخلت معه إلى النÙÙ‚ ÙÙŠ السادس من أكتوبر وبØوزتها Øقيبة لشركة بيركين التي تقدر كلÙتها بنØÙˆ 32 أل٠دولار؟! أترك لكم التعليق.
— اÙيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) October 19, 2024
بينما لا يملك سكان غزة الأموال الكاÙية لخيمة أو للمواد الأساسية نرى أمثلة كثيرة Ù„Øب ÙŠØيي السنوار وزوجته الخاص للأموال… pic.twitter.com/sGft4Qg9s8
Sinwar and his sons are pictured carrying televisions and cushions through the tunnel.
But it is the bag carried by his wife that the IDF focused on, with IDF Spokesperson in Arabic, Lt.-Colonel Avichay Adraee asking: “Did Sinwar’s wife enter the tunnel with him on October 6 carrying a Birkin bag estimated to cost about $32,000?!”
He added: “While Gaza residents have no money for food, we see many examples of Yahya Sinwar and his wife’s special love for money.”
RAW FOOTAGE of Sinwar just hours before the October 7 Massacre: pic.twitter.com/Rzft92TW16
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 20, 2024
In the newly released video, Sinwar, wearing a plan t-shirt and loose trousers, is seen walking through the tunnel with his two sons and wife, then returning through the tunnel, carrying various items.
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari told a televised briefing while showing the grainy footage: “You can see how Sinwar and his family members escape to an underground compound under their house on the night of October 6, just hours before the brutal massacre.
“They are alone for hours. Sinwar and his son go up and down, equipping themselves with plates of food, water, pillows, a plasma screen, mattresses and other products for a long stay.”
The spokesman showed images of the underground compound which had toilets, showers and a kitchen. He said food, cash and some documents were also found there.
In a separate video of the bunker, millions of shekels are seen in a safe in Sinwar’s bedroom, while thre are also sacks of food labelled with the logo of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) group. Hamas has been repeatedly accused of stealing aid meant for Gaza’s nearly two million refugees, while members of UNRWA have been accused of being part of the terror group.
The videos are part of an overall message by the IDF that Sinwar lived in relative luxury, hiding under the surface while starving Gazans were fighting to survive in the rubble of their enclave.
Drone footage of Sinwar’s death - which showed him above the surface and throwing an object at the drone - has been interpreted by many in the Arab world as proof that the Hamas leader died fighting, not hiding, raising fears he will be seen as a martyr by Palestinians, who may increase their support for the terror group.
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