Yosef Almansi, a former Communications Minister in Gaza, reportedly told Israel's Shin Bet intelligence agency that senior Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is widely unpopular in the enclave. Almansi, during an interrogation, claimed that nobody liked Sinwar, citing his perceived arrogance and delusions of grandeur.
He alleged that Sinwar's leadership led to destructive outcomes, with over 60% of buildings, infrastructure, streets, and public facilities in Gaza destroyed. Sinwar, the founder of Hamas' security service Majd, has faced multiple arrests and served life terms in prison before being released in a 2011 exchange for an Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas.
The U.S. designated him an "international terrorist" in 2015.
Key Points:
1. Yosef Almansi, a former Communications Minister in the Gaza Strip, revealed to Israel's Shin Bet intelligence agency that senior Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is highly unpopular in Gaza.
2. Almansi, during interrogation, stated that Sinwar has "delusions of grandeur" and perceives himself above others, asserting that he has not witnessed any support for Sinwar in the Gaza Strip.
3. According to Almansi, people in Gaza neither like nor support Sinwar, with some praying day and night for relief from his leadership.
4. Almansi criticized Hamas, stating that their achievements primarily involve the destruction of over 60% of buildings, infrastructure, streets, and public facilities in the Gaza Strip.
5. Describing Sinwar's leadership as that of a "group of lunatics," Almansi claimed that Hamas, under Sinwar, set back the Gaza Strip by 200 years.
6. Yahya Sinwar, a prominent leader in Hamas, founded the Hamas security service Majd, managing internal security, investigating suspected Israeli agents, and pursuing Israeli intelligence officers.
7. Sinwar has a history of arrests, with three instances leading to a life sentence in prison. He was released in a 2011 exchange involving 1,027 Palestinian and Israeli Arab prisoners for an Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas.
8. Despite his release, the U.S. designated Sinwar as an "international terrorist" in 2015.
9. Sinwar returned to a leading role in Hamas and became head of the group's political bureau in the Gaza Strip in 2017.
10. The revelations by Almansi provide insights into internal dissent and criticisms within Gaza, highlighting perceived unpopularity and discontent with Sinwar's leadership.
(With Agency Inputs)
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