Thousands gathered in Marib, northeastern Yemen, on Friday, October 18, 2024, to perform a funeral prayer for Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas's political bureau, who was killed during clashes with Israeli forces in Rafah, Gaza, on October 17.

The prayer took place following a protest that condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza and the war crimes committed against civilians, including killings, blockades, and starvation.

The demonstrators expressed their condolences to the Arab and Islamic nations, as well as to supporters of freedom, mourning the loss of Sinwar. They hailed him as a steadfast leader who dedicated his life to his people and nation, particularly during pivotal moments in the struggle.

Participants condemned the Israeli military's continued acts of killing and systematic starvation against civilians and displaced persons. Their statement held Israel, the U.S. administration, and all nations involved in the alleged genocide against the Palestinian people fully responsible for these ongoing crimes, which have led to a profound humanitarian crisis.

The statement (seen by Barran Press) emphasized that Israel would not dare to continue its atrocities in Gaza or expand its operations without the cover provided by the U.S. administration and the international community's silence regarding these Nazi-like crimes.

The protesters called on Arab and Islamic nations—both governments and peoples—to mobilize and support the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their resistance against what the Israeli military has termed the "Generals’ Plan," which aims to use overwhelming force to impose a plan of forced displacement on Palestinians.

They urged advocates for peace, human rights defenders, and all those who value justice to denounce the "racist Nazi entity" and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are facing brutal assaults—most of the victims being women and children.

The statement praised the resilience of the Palestinian resistance, asserting that the current escalation in northern Gaza is merely an extension of the ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing that has persisted for over a year. The total destruction of homes, neighborhoods, infrastructure, hospitals, and schools is part of an Israeli plan supported by the U.S. and several Western nations, representing one of the most significant and dangerous colonial schemes of this century.

Hamas officially mourned Yahya Sinwar on October 18, 2024, via a video statement from political bureau member Khalil al-Hayya, who honored Sinwar as the leader of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, affirming his status as a martyr who fell fighting against the Israeli military.