Israel Confirms Death of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar in Military Operation
Gaza: Israeli authorities have confirmed, through DNA testing, the death of Yahya Sinwar, the supreme leader of Hamas, following a military operation in Gaza. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) identified Sinwar among those killed during an attack in Rafah, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring the event as a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict.
In a video statement, Netanyahu stated, “Yahya Sinwar is dead. He was killed in Rafah by brave soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces. While this is not the end of the war in Gaza, it is the beginning of the end.” Israel’s Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, later confirmed Sinwar’s identity through DNA testing, emphasising that Sinwar was the mastermind behind the deadly attacks of October 7, 2023.
Yahya Sinwar ascended to the leadership of Hamas following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in August. His death marks the elimination of another top figure in the organisation’s hierarchy, with Sinwar’s predecessors, Haniyeh and Mohammad Deif, also having been killed by Israeli forces in prior operations.
Sinwar’s death, while a significant blow to Hamas, reportedly did not result in any harm to hostages held by the militant group. Sinwar, originally from Khan Younis in Gaza, had spent 22 years in an Israeli prison before being released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. During his time in captivity, Sinwar became fluent in Hebrew and deeply knowledgeable about Israeli politics and internal affairs, skills that elevated his influence within Hamas.
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