The Israeli army has confirmed the death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in southern Gaza after a year-long pursuit. In a statement, the army announced, “After completing the process of identifying the body, it can be confirmed that Yahya Sinwar was eliminated,” along with two other individuals by soldiers from the 828th Brigade.
Sinwar was previously described by Israel as the “mastermind” behind the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and was deemed responsible for the “murder and abduction of many Israelis.” The army said that his movements had been restricted due to ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza over the past year, especially in recent weeks.
Israeli troops and intelligence officers were actively operating in southern Gaza, following intelligence that indicated the locations of senior Hamas members.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that despite the killing of Yahya Sinwar, the war in Gaza is far from finished. He described Sinwar’s death as “the beginning of the day after Hamas,” asserting that the group “will no longer rule Gaza.”
Netanyahu said, “The task before us is not yet complete. But the war is not over yet.” He also highlighted that ensuring the return of hostages held in Gaza is his “highest commitment.”
Several Israeli officials believe that Sinwar’s killing could pave the way for a potential hostage deal.
As of now, there has been no comment from Hamas regarding the confirmation of Sinwar’s death.
