Israel has confirmed the death of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, in Gaza.
Sinwar, who was at the top of Israel’s most-wanted list, is believed to have been a major orchestrator behind the October 7, 2023 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of over 250 hostages.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned Sinwar’s actions, stating that his “evil endeavours were dedicated to terror, bloodshed, and destabilising the Middle East.”
Graphic images circulating online showed a figure resembling Sinwar amid rubble with visible fatal injuries.
Israeli authorities reportedly conducted physical and biometric tests to confirm his identity. Sinwar, 61, has long been a significant figure within Hamas, known for his hardline stance and preference for armed resistance over diplomacy. Released from an Israeli prison in 2011 as part of a prisoner swap, Sinwar became a leading figure within the organisation two months ago, particularly after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, which elevated him to the role of Hamas’s overall leader.
Reports indicated that Sinwar was likely hiding in Gaza’s tunnel networks, surrounded by hostages as human shields.
However, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), no hostages were found near the site where he was reportedly killed. This development, while not signaling an immediate end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, could mark a significant milestone as Israeli forces continue their operations across the region, where thousands of civilians have also lost their lives.
In a statement on social media, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant quoted Leviticus 26, asserting that “our enemies cannot hide” and vowing to pursue and eliminate those who threaten Israel. Additionally, two officials informed Reuters that Israel’s security cabinet had been notified of Sinwar’s likely death, while anonymous sources cited by Israel’s Channel 12 also confirmed that Sinwar had been “eliminated.”
Separately, local authorities reported that an Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in Jabalia, northern Gaza, killed 22 people. While Israel stated the site was used as a meeting point for Hamas and Jihad operatives, Hamas has denied this claim.
