Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Killed by Israeli Forces in Gaza Raid
Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, was killed in southern Gaza during an Israeli military operation, according to official confirmation from Israel. Sinwar, who had led Hamas in Gaza since 2017, was regarded by Israel, the US, and the UK as the key architect of the deadly October 7 attacks, during which Hamas gunmen killed around 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Sinwar’s death a pivotal moment, stating it marks “the beginning of the end” of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israeli forces reported that Sinwar was among three militants killed in Rafah during a raid targeting senior Hamas figures. The military clarified that no hostages were found at the site, despite previous intelligence suggesting Sinwar might have been using Israeli captives for protection.
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari detailed how three militants were spotted fleeing through residential areas. Sinwar, after separating from the others, entered a building where he was later located by a drone. Hagari recounted how Sinwar, armed with a vest, a firearm, and approximately 40,000 shekels, was found after Israeli soldiers stormed the building.
Lieutenant Colonel Hertzi Halevi, the IDF chief, affirmed, “We said we would get him, and we did. The world is better without him.” The confirmation of Sinwar’s death took several hours as Israel cross-checked dental records and fingerprints, referencing genetic data from Sinwar’s time spent in an Israeli prison.
Graphic images of a body resembling Sinwar circulated online, showing severe injuries. The IDF cautioned against premature announcements but later verified the identity, ending their pursuit of Sinwar that had spanned more than a year.
Netanyahu praised the operation but warned that the war in Gaza was not over. He called on Hamas to disarm and release the remaining hostages, stating that peace could come swiftly if these demands were met. Addressing the residents of Gaza, Netanyahu blamed Sinwar for their suffering, saying, “Hamas will no longer control Gaza. This is the beginning of your chance to free yourselves from its tyranny.”
Sinwar’s death comes months after Hamas’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran. Following Haniyeh’s death, Sinwar had taken on the role of overall Hamas leader. Born in 1962 in southern Gaza, Sinwar became involved in militant activities at a young age and, in the 1980s, founded Hamas’s security apparatus. He was sentenced to life imprisonment by Israel in 1988 but was released in a 2011 prisoner exchange deal for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
The killing has been hailed as a significant victory by Israeli officials, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant both emphasizing its military and symbolic importance. Gallant added, “Sinwar died on the run, caring only for himself, not as a commander.”
Iran, a key supporter of Hamas, condemned the killing, suggesting it would only strengthen resistance efforts in Palestine. US President Joe Biden congratulated Netanyahu on the operation, saying it marked a “good day” for both Israel and global security, adding that Sinwar’s death serves as proof that no terrorist leader is beyond the reach of justice.
Former CIA director David Petraeus described Sinwar’s killing as even more significant than the death of Osama Bin Laden, given Sinwar’s leadership role in Hamas. UK and French leaders have expressed support for Israel, while others, like Italy’s prime minister, warned that the killing may lead to a new phase in the conflict.
With nearly 42,500 reported deaths and over 99,000 injuries in Gaza since the conflict began, the situation remains dire. Around 101 hostages are believed to still be alive in Gaza. As the war continues, Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to bringing every hostage home and eliminating those who threaten the nation.
