The IDF released a letter on Thursday, written by Yahya Sinwar's son Ibrahim at the start of the Israel-Hamas War, in which the then-10-year-old expressed his desire to hold a Kalashnikov rifle and "shoot the Jews."
The letter, which was addressed to his father, was recovered by IDF soldiers in Gaza in 2024, the military said, releasing it ahead of the second anniversary of Sinwar's death.
Written on lined paper, the letter featured a Spider-Man sticker in its lower-left corner. The image of the Marvel superhero appeared alongside the child's handwritten message about making weapons and his desire to “shoot the Jews.”
The 10-year-old’s letter also depicted drawings of weapons, tanks, and missiles. The IDF did not comment specifically on the Spider-Man sticker.
In the letter, Ibrahim wrote that he missed his father and wished he could “hug you [Yahya Sinwar] and see you victorious.”
He also described making pistols, tanks, and Kalashnikovs out of paper and cardboard in his spare time.
“I wish to grow up, hold a Kalashnikov, and shoot the Jews,” Ibrahim wrote.
He also asked his father when he would return home to sleep with his arms around him and hoped the war would end and that his father would be safe.
“Oh Lord, may the war end and may I see you well. May God protect you, Dad. All I ask of you is your prayers.”
Sinwar's 'murderous ideology' reflected in his son, IDF says
The IDF said the letter and drawings illustrated "Sinwar's murderous ideology is reflected in the upbringing of his children, revealing the impact of Hamas' values of hatred and violence on the younger generation in the Gaza Strip."
Sinwar, who led Hamas in Gaza and was considered one of the main architects of the October 7, 2023, massacre, was killed by Israeli soldiers in Rafah two years ago, on October 16, 2024.