He was imprisoned in Israel on four life sentences, accused of playing a role in killing Israeli soldiers and Palestinian collaborators with Israel. His role in Hamas for years was to help root out suspected Palestinian informants for Israel. He earned a nickname among Palestinians: the butcher of Khan Younis, where he grew up in southern Gaza. 29, 1962, according to Hamas, Sinwar helped found the group's internal security apparatus in the late 1980s. Israelis and Palestinians presume Sinwar is hiding underground somewhere in Gaza, negotiating with world powers over hostage releases, trying to outmaneuver Israel, and surviving another day. Israeli leaders have deemed him a psychopath.
Israel also vows to kill Sinwar, a short, wiry man with cropped white hair. Israel, the United States, Europe and others designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, but its surprise attack earned it widespread support among Palestinians, many of whom regard it as resisting decades of Israeli subjugation.
Now Israel seeks to eradicate the Islamist militant group Sinwar leads in Gaza. Middle East crisis - explained What to know about the elusive Hamas military commander behind the attack on Israel
