Watan-An investigator in the Israeli Shin Bet, who was tasked with interrogating the leader Yahya Sinwar during his arrest in the 1980s, has revealed details of his intriguing encounter with the man who led Hamas and later became a legend, becoming the top target for the occupation after shaking the foundations of the Israeli army.
Israel arrested Sinwar on January 20, 1988, and he was sentenced to 450 years in prison. He was transferred between several prisons, including Majdal, Hadarim, Segev, and Nafha, and was released as part of the Shalit deal “Wafa al-Ahrar” in 2011.
The investigator, Michael Kobi, who worked as an officer in the case of Yahya Sinwar in 1988, spoke in an interview with the Hebrew newspaper “Haaretz” about the course of the investigation. He said that Sinwar had threatened him, saying, “You know that one day you will be the person who will be interrogated, and I will stand here as the government, as an investigator, and I will interrogate you.”
The investigator added that whenever he remembers these words, he is overcome with a shiver because this promise is not far from reality now. If he were living in the Gaza Strip, “I would find myself in the tunnels now, face to face with Yahya Sinwar.
Leadership Abilities
It was emphasized that Yahya Sinwar did not know fear during the interrogations. He did not hesitate to express his intention to kill Shin Bet members and all intelligence officers, “insulting and threatening us without fear.” The investigator pointed out that Sinwar’s detention did not affect his leadership abilities or his determination to act against Israel.
On the contrary, Sinwar, described by the investigator as “intimidating,” continued to work in prison and recruit individuals. Haaretz reported that there was already a consensus within the Shin Bet in 1988 that Yahya Sinwar’s capabilities and personality would make him a leader whose influence would be felt for a long time.
The Shin Bet investigator revealed, concerning the aggression on Gaza, that the Shin Bet operates around the clock. They initially interrogated workers from Gaza who were arrested after October 7 and are currently interrogating those who were detained from inside Gaza during the invasion.
Indicating that his situation in detention did not affect his leadership abilities or his determination to act against Israel. On the contrary, Sinwar, described by the investigator as “intimidating,” continued to work in prison and recruit individuals.
Haaretz reported that there was already a consensus within the Shin Bet in 1988 that Yahya Sinwar’s capabilities and personality would make him a leader whose influence would be felt for a long time.
The Shin Bet investigator revealed, concerning the aggression on Gaza, that the Shin Bet operates around the clock. They initially interrogated workers from Gaza who were arrested after October 7 and are currently interrogating those who were detained from inside Gaza during the invasion.
The Art of Black Torture
Israeli researcher Mark Boden, in a study titled “The Art of Black Torture” published in the Journal of Palestinian Studies, mentioned the Israeli investigator Kobi. He stated that Kobi had a special skill in reading the body language and facial expressions of his prisoners and in detecting lies. A skilled actor, he could either empathize with or intimidate the prisoner, alternating, sometimes flipping a metal coin in his hand.
Boden noted that Kobi blended these skills with tricks he learned over time to manipulate people. He not only conducted investigations with his prisoners but also coordinated their emotional surrender. However, this seemed ineffective with an exceptional and savvy personality like Sinwar.