Shot in head, finger reduce off, arm smashed: Grotesque particulars of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar’s post-mortem

Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, the primary mastermind of the 2023 cross-border assaults that turned the deadliest day in Israel‘s historical past, was killed by a gunshot wound to the top, Israeli specialist Dr. Chen Kugel, who assisted within the post-mortem on his physique, advised The New York Occasions.
In line with Dr. Kugel, Sinwar had beforehand been hit by shrapnel, presumably from a small missile or tank shell, which had severely broken his arm.Regardless of his makes an attempt to cease the bleeding utilizing {an electrical} twine as a makeshift tourniquet, Dr. Kugel said, ” But it surely would not have labored in any case … It wasn’t sturdy sufficient, and his forearm was smashed.”
Whereas speaking with CNN, an IDF spokesperson on Dr. Kugel’s findings stated that there was an alternate of gunfire and that the fight ended with the Israeli navy firing a tank shell on the constructing. The Israeli navy continues to be working to study all the particulars of the occasion, the spokesperson stated.
“It’s based mostly on what I discovered on the physique,” Dr. Kugel stated. “He has damage from different sources, like a missile damage in his proper forearm, fallen masonry on his left leg, or thigh, and plenty of shrapnels that entered his physique, however solely within the chest. They induced extreme harm, however the reason for demise is the gunshot wound within the head.”
When requested about Sinwar’s approximate time of demise, Dr. Kugel advised CNN that it was probably late afternoon on Wednesday — greater than 24 hours earlier than his physique arrived on the institute late Thursday evening, he stated.
Finger reduce off for DNA testing
The pathologist knowledgeable CNN that the Hamas chief Sinwar’s finger was amputated and despatched for DNA evaluation to substantiate his identification when Israeli forces found him on Wednesday.
Dr. Kugel stated, “After the laboratory made the profile, we in contrast it with the profile that Sinwar had within the time period that he was serving right here as a prisoner, so then we may establish him lastly by his DNA.”
Earlier than his launch in 2011 as a part of a prisoner alternate for an Israeli soldier, Sinwar had been incarcerated in Israeli prisons for over twenty years. Dr. Kugel talked about that they initially tried to establish him utilizing dental information from images, however the technique was not sufficiently dependable.

The stays of the Hamas chief have been transported to the Tel Aviv forensic heart at 9:30 pm (native time). on Thursday, the place a complete DNA evaluation was performed. In line with Dr. Kugel, the examination offered definitive affirmation that the physique was certainly that of Sinwar, with a certainty degree of 100%.
A number of facets of the incident stay unclear, such because the identification of the shooter, the timing of the shot, and the weapon used.
Hamas confirms demise of Sinwar
In a televised eulogy on Friday, Khalil al-Hayya, Sinwar’s long-time deputy, confirmed his demise however emphasised that it had not altered Hamas’ stance or its battle with Israel.
“We mourn the nice chief, the martyred brother, Yahya Sinwar, Abu Ibrahim,” Qatar-based Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya stated in a video assertion.

On Israeli hostages, Hayya stated, “The occupation prisoners won’t return except the aggression on Gaza stops, there’s a full withdrawal from [Gaza], and our prisoners are launched from the prisons.”
“Hamas will proceed till the institution of the Palestinian state on all Palestinian soil with Jerusalem as its capital,” he added.
Who’s the subsequent Hamas chief?
The demise of Yahya Sinwar has created a management vacuum throughout the Palestinian terrorist group. Numerous reviews on Friday speculated about potential candidates who may step into the position.
In line with a Hamas supply who spoke to the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, discussions are underway throughout the group to decide on a brand new chief. A senior Hamas official advised the identical newspaper that Sinwar’s demise would considerably affect the Gaza-ruling terror group, which is now getting into “a brand new stage,” as reported by Israel’s Kan public broadcaster.
Different sources steered that with Sinwar’s absence, the remaining leaders based mostly overseas will now perform decision-making inside Hamas. This energy dynamics shift may speed up long-stalled negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal.
Nonetheless, sources throughout the Israeli protection institution are skeptical about the opportunity of anybody efficiently filling Sinwar’s sneakers, in keeping with Occasions of Israel citing a report on Israel’s Walla web site.