Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been killed while fighting the Israeli army in Gaza, a senior leader of the group confirmed on Friday. Khalil al-Hayya, the chief of Hamas’ Gaza branch, announced in a televised address that Sinwar died in combat.
“Sinwar ascended [to heaven] advancing and not retreating, engaging in the frontlines, moving between combat positions,” Hayya said. Based in Qatar, Hayya mourned Sinwar’s “martyrdom” and expressed that his death would strengthen the group’s resolve to continue their fight against Israel.
“The death of our leader Sinwar and those [killed] before him will only increase the strength and resolve of our group,” Hayya said, reaffirming Hamas’s commitment to establishing a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
He also warned that Israeli captives held in Gaza would not be released without a ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli government and military confirmed on Thursday that Sinwar was killed in a gunfight during an Israeli operation in the southern city of Rafah.
In a video address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the killing of Sinwar but stressed that it was not the end of Israel’s war on Gaza. “Today evil has been dealt a blow, but our task has still not been completed,” Netanyahu said, vowing to continue the military campaign until the return of Israeli captives.
Netanyahu also framed the ongoing conflict as part of a broader regional war. Israel has recently expanded its military operations to Lebanon, fighting against Hezbollah, while also conducting airstrikes against the Houthi movement in Yemen.
