The Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds published what it called “Sinwar’s testament to his fighters on the ground”, three documents written by the former Hamas leader containing instructions on the treatment of hostages. These three notes were apparently written just after October 7. The media does not specify where they were found, leaving doubt about their authenticity.
In the first document, supporting verses from the Koran, Yahya Sinwar writes that the lives of those kidnapped must be preserved because “they are a trump card” to obtain the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The second note provides data on the people kidnapped, including their age, gender and whether they are soldiers or civilians. It mentions five men over 60, ten men under 60, three soldiers, three women under 40 marked with an X, perhaps dead, and four women over 40 out of 25, including 22 alive. In total, the document mentions 72 people kidnapped. It also reports 25 hostages held in the center of the Gaza Strip, including six soldiers, 12 men, the oldest of whom is 53 years old, and seven young people, aged 21 to 27. Next to the mention “Rafah”, Sinwar notes “two men over 60 years old and four Bedouins (55 years old and 18 to 22 years old)”.
The third document includes 11 names of people kidnapped and who have since been released during the deal between Hamas and Israel in late November 2023 or before it. Nili Margalit is mentioned with her age (41 years) and her profession as a nurse; Tamar Metzger (78 years old); Rimon Kirsht (36 years old, on which it is written that she is ill); Elena Trupanov (50 years old) with “Russian” precision; Norlin Babdila (60, “Filipino/Israeli”); Irena Tati (73 years old, “Russia”); Judith (Yola) Ra’anan (49 years old, “American”; Marv Tal (53 years old); Ada Sagi (75 years old), Ofelia Rothman (77 years old) and Dietza Heyman (84 years old).
