On October 20, 2024, at 01:24 PM IST, Israel made a shocking claim regarding the wife of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. In a footage released by the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), Sinwar’s wife was seen carrying a Hermes Birkin handbag worth $32,000 (approximately ₹27 lakh). This revelation has sparked controversy and outrage, shedding light on the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by Sinwar’s family amidst the hardships faced by the residents of Gaza.
The video in question shows Sinwar and his family escaping through an underground tunnel just hours before Hamas initiated terrorist attacks on Israeli soil on October 7th of the previous year. Accused by Israel of masterminding these attacks, Sinwar was ultimately killed by Israeli soldiers in Rafah city of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
The X handle Israel, managed by the country’s foreign ministry, took to social media to condemn Sinwar and his family’s lavish lifestyle while the people of Gaza suffered. The post read, „Sinwar’s wife caught in this photo sneaking to the tunnels the night before October 7th – get this – clutching a $32,000 Hermes Birkin bag! While Gazans endured hardship under Hamas, Sinwar and his family were shamelessly living in luxury, indulging while sending others to die.“
Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee, the Arabic language spokesperson of the IDF, reiterated the claim, highlighting the stark contrast between the opulent life of Sinwar’s family and the poverty experienced by most residents of Gaza who struggle to afford basic necessities like food.
The Hermes Birkin bag, introduced in 1984, is a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, crafted by the renowned French luxury goods maker, Hermes. The exorbitant price tag attached to this handbag further emphasizes the extravagant lifestyle of Sinwar’s wife.
In terms of personal background, Yahya Sinwar’s wife is named Samar Muhammad Abu Zamar, who married the Hamas leader in November 2011. She is 18 years younger than Sinwar, and the couple has three children together. Sinwar, who would have turned 62 on October 29, took over as the Hamas chief in July, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh after the latter’s alleged assassination by Israel in Tehran, Iran.
The tensions between Israel and Iran were further fueled by the attack that claimed the life of Haniyeh’s bodyguard. This incident, coupled with the recent revelations about Sinwar’s wife’s luxurious handbag, has reignited debates about the disparity in living standards between Gaza’s political elite and its struggling population.
In conclusion, the footage released by Israel depicting Yahya Sinwar’s wife carrying a $32,000 Hermes Birkin handbag has sparked outrage and condemnation. The contrast between the luxurious lifestyle of Hamas leaders and the hardships faced by the people of Gaza has once again come to the forefront, raising questions about accountability and social justice in the region.