This is how Dr. Yuval Bitton recalls the morning of Oct. 7: jolted awake just after sunrise by the persistent ringing of his phone. His daughter, traveling abroad, urgently asking, “Dad, what’s going on in Israel? Turn on the TV.” News reports were still piecing together the details: Palestinian gunmen breaching Israel’s defenses, infiltrating over 20 towns and military bases, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of more than 240 men, women, and children into Gaza.
From that initial moment, Dr. Bitton was certain of who orchestrated the attack: Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza and a former inmate in the Israeli prison system from 1989 to 2011. But there was more to their history. Dr. Bitton had a connection with Sinwar – having provided medical assistance to him years before, when Sinwar was mysteriously ill in prison. Sinwar had expressed his gratitude, claiming he owed Dr. Bitton his life. Despite being sworn enemies, the two men shared a wary mutual respect. Dr. Bitton, a dentist and former senior intelligence officer for the Israeli prison service, had spent countless hours analyzing Sinwar.
As the day progressed, Dr. Bitton realized that everything that had transpired between him and Sinwar foreshadowed the current events. He understood Sinwar’s mindset better than most Israeli officials. Knowing that the price Sinwar would demand for the hostages might be too high for Israel to pay, Dr. Bitton was faced with a difficult decision. By day’s end, he learned that Sinwar’s operatives had his nephew.
The day Dr. Bitton saved Sinwar’s life, he was working at the dental clinic in Beersheba prison, treating some of Israel’s most notorious prisoners. Despite the challenging nature of his work, Dr. Bitton believed in upholding moral values, as emphasized by Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion.
Sinwar’s journey began in 1989, following his conviction for brutal murders linked to Hamas activities. Born in a refugee camp, his experiences shaped his allegiance to Hamas. During his imprisonment, Sinwar continued to be a formidable figure, respected for his resourcefulness and leadership skills. He used his time in prison to educate himself on Israeli tactics and history, becoming fluent in Hebrew and studying the works of former Israeli security officials.
Sinwar’s influence extended beyond the prison walls, as he orchestrated plans to kidnap Israeli soldiers for prisoner exchanges. Despite his incarceration, Sinwar maintained his authority within Hamas, earning a reputation as a skilled leader.
Hamas, known for its democratic leadership structure, mirrored this system in prison. Sinwar’s determination and beliefs transformed the prison environment into a place of worship and learning. His resilience and dedication to the cause solidified his position as a respected figure within the organization.