Israeli forces in Gaza have reportedly killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who played a major role in last year’s attack on Israel that triggered the current conflict. The military stated that troops encountered Sinwar unexpectedly during a combat operation, later discovering that a body in the debris belonged to the most-wanted man in Israel.
Israeli officials hailed the operation as a significant victory, occurring a little over a year since Hamas militants killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and abducted 250 others in an attack that shocked the nation. They framed this development as a pivotal moment in efforts to dismantle Hamas, calling on the group to surrender and release around 100 hostages still in their custody in Gaza.
“Hamas will no longer rule Gaza. This marks the beginning of the day after Hamas,” stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
U.S. officials expressed optimism for a ceasefire without Sinwar, but the ongoing war, which has resulted in the destruction of much of the Gaza Strip and the deaths of over 42,000 Palestinians, may not come to an end with his death. The Gaza Health Ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in casualty counts, though it notes that a significant portion of the deceased are women and children.
While Sinwar’s death strikes a significant blow to Hamas, the group, which historically has received backing from Iran, has shown resilience in the face of leadership losses. Hamas has yet to confirm Sinwar’s death.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will continue its operations until all hostages are released and will maintain control over Gaza long enough to prevent Hamas from rearming, potentially leading to extended conflict.
Earlier in the month, Israel escalated its military efforts against Hezbollah in Lebanon, beginning a ground campaign following a year of intermittent cross-border skirmishes.
In remarks regarding Sinwar’s demise, Netanyahu noted, “Our war is not yet ended.”
President Joe Biden remarked that the elimination of Sinwar could pave the way for a “political settlement” advantageous for both Israelis and Palestinians, stating his intent to speak with Netanyahu about pathways to secure the hostages’ release and ultimately cease hostilities.
For years, Sinwar held the position of Hamas leader in Gaza, assuming leadership in July following the alleged Israeli strike that killed his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.
In recent months, Israel has conducted airstrikes that have taken out several senior Hamas and Hezbollah figures. While Israel claims to have killed Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, the group asserts he survived.
Regarding Sinwar’s death, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari explained that forces identified three Hamas militants fleeing in Rafah and attempted to engage them before they escaped into a building. Subsequent drone footage depicted what officials said were Sinwar’s final moments, showing a man sitting in a bombed room, allegedly attempting to shield his identity. An additional strike on the building ultimately resulted in his death.
Sinwar was found with a bulletproof vest, grenades, and resources amounting to about $10,707. Prior to this, traces of his DNA had been discovered in tunnels near the site where six hostages were found in late August, leading the military to suspect that ongoing searches had pressured him to leave hiding.
Images circulating online depicted an individual resembling Sinwar with significant injuries, dressed in military-style gear, partially buried under debris. A security official confirmed that these images were taken by Israeli operatives at the scene, speaking anonymously due to the active inquiry.
The military reported three militants killed in the operation, with police verifying one as Sinwar through dental records, fingerprints, and DNA analysis. Sinwar had been imprisoned by Israel from the late 1980s until 2011, during which he received treatment for brain cancer.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called for Hamas fighters to surrender and assist in the safe return of hostages. Netanyahu declared that Israel had “settled its account” with the orchestrator of the October 7 attack, reaffirming that the challenge ahead is not yet resolved.
He assured that any Hamas member who relinquished weapons and helped return hostages would be permitted to leave Gaza safely, although tragically, about a third of those still held captive are believed to have died.
Following news of Sinwar’s death, hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv advocating for the release of hostages, with some carrying placards referencing the end of Sinwar and the ongoing conflict.
Ifat Kalderon, whose cousin remains a hostage, expressed mixed feelings about Sinwar’s death, acknowledging the potential dangers to hostages in light of the situation.
In central Gaza, Umm Mohammed, a displaced resident, voiced her hope that Sinwar’s death might end Israeli military actions, stating, “What more goals do they have than that? Enough. We want to go back.”
Contrastingly, some view Sinwar as a emblem of Palestinian resistance. Ahmed Hamdouna, also a displaced individual, argued that Hamas would quickly find a successor.
For over a week, Israeli forces have conducted ground operations in Jabaliya refugee camp, asserting they are combating regrouped Hamas operatives. On Thursday, an Israeli strike hit a school sheltering displaced individuals in Jabaliya, claiming at least 28 lives, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. A spokesperson for the ministry noted that those killed included women and children.
The Israeli military defended its actions, claiming it targeted a Hamas and Islamic Jihad command center located within the school, while providing a list of names of alleged militants present during the strike. The accuracy of these names cannot be independently verified.
Despite claiming to conduct targeted strikes on militants with minimal civilian impact, many Israeli operations continue to result in the tragic deaths of women and children.