An image grab from a handout video released by the Israeli army shows what they say is Hamas's chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, walking in a tunnel, in the Gaza Strip. AFP
An image grab from a handout video released by the Israeli army shows what they say is Hamas's chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, walking in a tunnel, in the Gaza Strip. AFP
An image grab from a handout video released by the Israeli army shows what they say is Hamas's chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, walking in a tunnel, in the Gaza Strip. AFP
An image grab from a handout video released by the Israeli army shows what they say is Hamas's chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, walking in a tunnel, in the Gaza Strip. AFP

Israel army releases video purportedly showing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in tunnel


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Israel's army has released a video that it said was of Hamas's chief Yahya Sinwar, filmed on October 10, with members of his family in a tunnel in Gaza.

The black and white images show a man alleged to be Mr Sinwar, being led through a tunnel together with a woman and three children. The footage is said to be the first of him since Israel’s war on Gaza broke out.

Israel accuses Mr Sinwar of masterminding the unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war, now in its fifth month.

Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said troops had uncovered the video in a security camera during an operation in a tunnel, without elaborating on the location.

“The footage shows the leader of Hamas and mass murderer, Yahya Sinwar, fleeing with his children and one of his wives,” he told a briefing.

“This is how he escaped with his family from an underground tunnel to a secured complex he had built in advance,” Mr Hagari said.

“This video of Sinwar is the result of our hunt. This hunt will not stop until we have captured him dead or alive.”

It was unclear from the footage where the tunnel was located, but in recent weeks the Israeli military has pounded Khan Younis, southern Gaza's main city and Mr Sinwar's hometown.

Mr Hagari said the video had been filmed on October 10, three days after Hamas carried out an attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians.

In response, Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas and launched a military campaign in Gaza that has killed at least 28,473 people, mostly women and children, Palestinian health authorities said.

Earlier this month, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Mr Sinwar was “moving from hideout to hideout” and was no longer leading the group's military operations in Gaza.

“He has now become a terrorist on the run from being the leader of Hamas” in the Palestinian territory, Mr Gallant said, without elaborating on Mr Sinwar's presumed current location.

Mr Sinwar joined Hamas when Sheikh Ahmad Yassin founded the group in 1987, during the start of the first Palestinian uprising, or intifada, against Israeli occupation.

Earlier in December, Israel placed a bounty of $400,000 on the head of Mr Sinwar, dropping leaflets in the Gaza Strip offering cash rewards for information leading to his capture and other commanders of the Palestinian militant group.

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GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

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Price: From Dh149,900

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Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)

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Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)

The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.

Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)

Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.

Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)

Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.

Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)

An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.

Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)

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It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times

If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.

A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.

The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.

In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.

The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.

Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.

Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.

“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.

The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.

“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.

“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”

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Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

Updated: February 14, 2024, 6:34 AM