Former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s widow, Samar Muhammad Abu Zamar, was reportedly smuggled out of Gaza into Turkey in the early days of the war, using forged documents, a Hamas tunnel passage and significant financial resources inaccessible to average Gazans. Despite initial speculation she was hiding underground, Israeli and local sources assert she crossed via the Rafah border into Turkey before her husband’s death.

Once in Turkey, Abu Zamar is said to have remarried within months, in a match arranged by senior Hamas political bureau member Fathi Hammad. Her departure and remarriage sparked sharp criticism, especially in Gaza, where residents are facing devastating humanitarian crisis. Many criticized the apparent elite privileges enjoyed by leadership families, saying the contrast has fueled public resentment.

Reports also highlight that Najwa Sinwar, wife of Yahya’s brother Mohammed Sinwar (also killed by Israeli forces), may have similarly exited Gaza with her children, likely bound for Turkey, although her status remains unconfirmed by Hamas. The broader context underscores accusations of a covert smuggling network serving Hamas elites, featuring forged IDs, logistical coordination, and foreign support—contrasting starkly with Gazan civilians’ suffering.