Israeli forces have confirmed the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the deadly 7th October 2023 attack on Israel. The strike took place during a military confrontation in Rafah, Gaza, where Sinwar’s body was discovered under the rubble. Israeli authorities identified his remains through DNA testing, dental records, and fingerprints, alongside a bulletproof vest, grenades, and 40,000 shekels.
Footage released by the Israeli military showed Sinwar in his final moments, captured by a drone. The video revealed a wounded Sinwar attempting to throw a piece of wood at the drone before a subsequent strike caused the building he was in to collapse, killing him and two other militants.
Sinwar, a long-time leader of Hamas, had been in hiding for over a year, with Israeli forces restricting his movements through recent military operations. The leader of Hamas in Gaza since 2017, he also assumed leadership of the group’s political bureau after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh earlier this year. Sinwar played a pivotal role in planning the October 2023 attack, which led to the deaths of over 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 Israelis.
Israel Defense Forces
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz hailed Sinwar’s death as a “great military and moral achievement” for Israel and a major blow to Hamas. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant described Sinwar as a “master murderer” who died while “on the run,” contrasting this with his former role as a feared leader.
The killing was initially unintentional, according to an Israeli official. A unit of reserve soldiers fired at a group of militants, including Sinwar, during an attempt to defuse a missile. Sinwar was reportedly wounded in the attack, and a sniper delivered the fatal shot. His identity was confirmed later through forensic testing.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Sinwar’s death a significant milestone in dismantling Hamas’ leadership and a symbol of the group’s “decline.” He also reiterated Israel’s commitment to securing the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
Sinwar’s death has provoked further escalations in the region. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah announced it was entering a “new, escalated phase” of its conflict with Israel. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the news, comparing the reaction in Israel to the American response following the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011.
The Gaza-born Sinwar, 62, was a founding member of Hamas and spent 22 years in an Israeli prison before being released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange deal.
