Newsletters
The name of the late Hamas political bureau chief, Yahya Sinwar, has sparked widespread controversy in Germany after it appeared on the welcome board for newborns at the University Hospital in the city of Leipzig.
The University Hospital welcomes newborns each day with a bulletin board displaying their names—such as Matteo, Emma, Lukas, or Mohammed—accompanied by the phrase “Welcome.”
However, on Sunday, some were surprised to see the name “Yahya Sinwar” at the top of the list, the full name of the Hamas leader who was killed in Gaza. This sparked “resentment” among some observers.
Adding to the controversy, a hospital staff member had drawn a heart over the letter “i” in the name—a detail that further fueled public outrage.
Leipzig University Hospital had posted a photo of the name board on its official Instagram account, which sparked a wave of shock and “dismay” among its followers.
The hospital later issued an official apology, stating that it was unaware of the “significance” of the name written on the board.
Speaking to the German newspaper Bild, hospital spokesperson Jorn Glasner stated, “In this case, the person who posted the photo was not aware that the name is currently associated with a well-known political figure involved in a highly sensitive geopolitical context.”
Leipzig University Hospital acknowledged that the post may have triggered “feelings of discomfort and dismay” among some individuals and issued a clear apology “to anyone who felt hurt or provoked by the post.”
The hospital added, “We are using this incident as an opportunity to review our internal procedures, with the aim of handling such matters with greater sensitivity in the future."
The German site Die Welt notes that the reasons behind the choice of the name remain unknown, and no information has been released about the child’s parents. It also remains unclear whether the relevant civil registry office will approve the official registration of the name.
Yahya Sinwar was the leader of Hamas’ political bureau in Gaza and a central figure in orchestrating the group’s military operations.
For many—particularly pro-Palestinian supporters—Sinwar is viewed as a symbol of resistance and steadfastness. He remained in Gaza until the final stages of the war and was reportedly captured during a direct confrontation with Israeli forces. As a result, the name “Yahya Sinwar” has become highly sensitive and politically charged, particularly in international settings.
On Oct. 18, Hamas announced Sinwar’s death, confirming he was killed in a clash with Israeli soldiers. The announcement followed a joint statement by the Israeli army and Shin Bet, which claimed three individuals were killed in a military operation in Gaza, including Sinwar.
Israel considers Sinwar the mastermind behind the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation, carried out by Palestinian resistance factions on Oct. 7, 2023. The attack targeted Israeli settlements and military bases near the Gaza border, resulting in significant casualties and losses for Tel Aviv and severely undermining the global credibility of its security and intelligence services.
12 min read
