Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Killed by Israeli Forces

Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, has been killed by Israeli forces during a military operation in southern Gaza, Israel confirmed on Wednesday. Sinwar, who had led the armed group since 2017, was accused by Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom of orchestrating the deadly 7 October attacks, during which Hamas gunmen killed around 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Sinwar’s death as the beginning of the end of the war in Gaza, which has raged for over a year. The Israeli military reported that Sinwar was one of three militants killed during a raid on a building in Rafah, believed to be a hiding place for senior Hamas leaders. No hostages were found at the site, despite previous claims that Sinwar traveled with hostages as a means of protection.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Sinwar and two other gunmen were spotted by Israeli soldiers moving between buildings in Rafah. After splitting up, Sinwar entered a building alone, where he was later found with a vest, a gun, and 40,000 shekels (£8,240). The IDF used drone surveillance to locate Sinwar, and soldiers later confirmed his identity by comparing dental records and fingerprints, as Sinwar had previously spent decades in an Israeli prison.

Netanyahu hailed Sinwar’s killing as a critical moment in the war, though he emphasized that the conflict is far from over. He reiterated that the war could end if Hamas disarmed and returned the hostages still held in Gaza. Addressing families of the hostages, Netanyahu assured them that Israel would continue its efforts to bring all captives home.

The killing of Sinwar follows the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran in July. Sinwar had succeeded Haniyeh as the overall leader of Hamas and was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the organization.

Iran, a key backer of Hamas, reacted strongly to Sinwar’s death. The Iranian mission to the United Nations said that his killing would strengthen the “spirit of resistance” and that he would become a symbol for future generations in their struggle for Palestinian liberation.

In a phone call with Netanyahu, U.S. President Joe Biden praised the operation, stating that Sinwar’s death was “a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world.” Biden also said it underscored that terrorists cannot escape justice, no matter where they are.

Former CIA Director David Petraeus called Sinwar’s death a significant moment, comparing it to the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2012, noting that it was “both hugely symbolic and operationally impactful” given Sinwar’s leadership role.

Despite the fact that these data do not differentiate between civilians and fighters, the health ministry of Hamas in Gaza estimates that there have been approximately 42,500 dead and over 99,000 injuries as the fighting continues. It is estimated that there are approximately 101 hostages still held in Gaza, and increased international pressure is being exerted to achieve their release.