Middle East Latest: Video of Hamas leader’s final moments ‘makes him a role model for children,’ says Iran; Gunmen “enter Israel from Jordan” | World News

While the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was celebrated in Israel, the manner of his death – and the footage showing his final moments – has created a very different mood among some Palestinians and their supporters.

Video from an Israeli military drone shows him sitting on a chair in the ruins of a building, his face covered with a scarf, before attempting to throw an object at the drone.

Israeli officials had regularly suggested that Sinwar spent his time hiding in tunnels beneath the Gaza Strip and that he used hostages as human shields – claims that were not supported by footage shot shortly before his death.

Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti, secretary general of the Palestinian Initiative, said the images represented a heroic image for many.

“I fear that what happened is not really consistent with what the Israeli side is saying,” he told CNN.

“I think they were looking for a photo of the victory, but Sinwar gave them a different image.”

“The fact that they circulated images of his body, which is unacceptable in every way, showed that he was fighting.

“He did not hide in a tunnel as Netanyahu claimed, he did not hide behind Palestinian civilians and view them as human shields, as Israeli propaganda used to say.”

“He wasn’t hiding behind Israeli prisoners or prisoners, as they claimed – he was fighting.”

“This image will make him look like a hero to most Palestinians and most Arabs, and to most people who are against the Israeli occupation and against the oppression that Palestinians face.”

“In my opinion, Sinwar failed the Israelis again, he failed their intelligence services, they couldn’t reach him.”

“He fought. He was brave and not a coward like they claim.”

Mr Barghouti said the death would now “expose” Benjamin Netanyahu and his stated war aims.

“The big question now, after Sinwar, with this push to end this terrible war?

“Will this force Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire? I doubt it, because in my opinion Netanyahu doesn’t care about the Israeli hostages, he doesn’t care about their lives.”

“All he wants is to expand this war, and he is replacing the West Bank occupation by expanding it and making it, he hopes, an occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and large parts of Lebanon.”

“He wants to drag the entire region into a terrible regional war and hopes to drag even the United States into a war with Iran.”

“The death of Sinwar … will, in my opinion, further expose Netanyahu as a person who does not want to end this terrible situation.”