Title: Bound by the Strip: The Dentist's Relationship with Hamas's Brutal Leader
Yuval Biton, a dentist by trade, has an intimate connection with a figure he'd rather forget – Yahya Sinwar, the chief of Hamas, an illegal Palestinian militant organization.
Biton's closest acquaintance was once a ruthless criminal serving time in an Israeli prison: Sinwar, who was accused of ordering the killings of several Palestinians, was Biton's primary patient as the prison's dentist.
From Dentist to Intelligence Chief:
In 1996, Biton began his career working in the Israeli prison service's "Shabas" branch, catering to 250 so-called "security prisoners." As Biton tended to the needs of these high-ranking individuals, he established relationships with several future Hamas leaders, including Sinwar.
The Rise of a Brutal Force:
Sinwar's brutality earned him fear, and his dedication to the Hamas cause proved his worth. In 2004, the prisoners chose Sinwar as their leader. Biton noticed the rising tides of radicalism emanating from Hamas's Gaza members, like Sinwar, while contrasting them with the more moderate factions in the West Bank.
However, despite his growing unease, Biton continued his professional relationship with Sinwar. Shortly after, Biton moved up the ranks, becoming the head of "Shabas"'s secret service.
Influence from the Shadow:
Even imprisoned, Sinwar exerted his power – securing his release in a prisoner swap involving Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas. "He played a significant role in the negotiations," Biton asserts.
Despite plans to release Sinwar and other extremist leaders, Biton's role in determining the selection was circumvented.
Hamas's Hollow Victory:
In 2008, Biton's personal life was upended: Sinwar, now a free man, joined the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. Biton's nephew, Tamir, was taken prisoner during the clash.
His nephew's fate was unknown, and his general whereabouts could only be tracked to Gaza.
In 2017, Sinwar was confirmed as the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, surpassing the influence of Hamas's exiled leader, Ismail Haniyah.
"I warned others of his true nature," Biton says. "But unfortunately, many didn't heed my warnings."
Sinwar's extensive knowledge of Israeli society and his mastery of Hebrew left an indelible mark on Biton. He achieved power by understanding the region, Israeli politics, and their debates. His influence reached far beyond the confines of Israeli prisons.
The Ghastly Reality of Tamir's Fate:
"He knew us too well," Biton laments. "He observes Israeli society closely. I can only imagine how hard it must have been for Tamir concerning his captivity."
The Hamas Syndrome:
Despite Sinwar savoring their shared history, Biton remains vigilant about potential threats. He believes this individual miscalculated, overestimating the crippling power of political upheaval within Israel.
How does Sinwar, the man who once benefited from Biton's care, respond now? "We witnessed such 'gratitude' when October 7 occurred," Biton spits.
- Biton's nephew, Tamir Adar, was kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack, following his wide-ranging career in prison service: including treating high-ranking Hamas leaders and eventually leading the secret service.
- The grasp of the Middle East conflict and its underlying issues penetrated Biton's life: his professional encounters with Hamas leaders shaped his understanding of the group, only to be followed by his nephew's abduction, resulting from these political tensions.
- Despite the misfortune of Tamir's kidnapping, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and tensions fueled the once-benevolent relationship between Biton and Sinwar, sculpting Biton's perspective of the leader's true nature.
Enrichment Data: Tamir Adar's status remains unchanged, with Hamas holding him hostage in the Gaza Strip. Negotiations are ongoing to secure his release, along with other hostages, but no concrete developments have been made. Source:
