In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israeli forces have killed Yahya Sinwar, a senior Hamas leader and one of the main architects behind last year’s attack on Israel that ignited the war. The military confirmed the killing on Thursday, stating that Sinwar was discovered unexpectedly in a battle after Israeli troops unknowingly stumbled upon his body in the rubble.
Sinwar’s death marks a critical moment for Israeli leaders, who described it as a major victory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed it as a settling of scores, coming just over a year after Hamas militants launched a large-scale surprise attack into southern Israel. Netanyahu also used the moment to call for Hamas to release the estimated 100 hostages still held captive, though he cautioned, “Our war has not yet ended.”
Sinwar, who had risen to Hamas’s highest ranks, had been instrumental in boosting the group’s military capabilities. His death deals a significant blow to Hamas, though the group has proven resilient throughout the conflict. There has been no immediate confirmation from Hamas regarding Sinwar’s killing.
Netanyahu has remained firm on his stance that Israel must maintain long-term control over Gaza to prevent Hamas from rearming, signaling that fighting may continue. Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant urged Hamas fighters to surrender, release the hostages, and lay down their weapons.
U.S. President Joe Biden also weighed in, comparing Sinwar’s death to the killing of Osama bin Laden, calling it a “good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world.” He expressed his commitment to working with Netanyahu to bring the hostages home and work toward ending the war.
Sinwar’s demise follows a string of targeted strikes by Israel, which have eliminated several senior Hamas figures and Hezbollah members in recent months. However, Sinwar’s death occurred somewhat by chance. According to an Israeli military official, Sinwar was engaged in combat with Israeli troops in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, when he was spotted fleeing into a building. The building was struck by Israeli tank fire, leading to his death.
Although Sinwar was not the intended target of the operation that day, the military found his body in the debris, with confirmation of his identity through dental records and fingerprints. Sinwar’s extensive medical records, from his time in Israeli prison where he received treatment for brain cancer, also aided in the identification process.
Netanyahu declared that Israel had “settled its account” with the mastermind of the October 7, 2023 attack, which saw Hamas militants kill approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abduct around 250 others. While roughly 100 captives remain in Gaza, many are feared dead.
The conflict has also taken a significant toll on Gaza, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting over 42,000 Palestinian deaths since the offensive began, including women and children.
In a separate development, an Israeli airstrike on Thursday hit a school in Gaza where displaced Palestinians were taking shelter, killing at least 28 people. The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted a Hamas and Islamic Jihad command center inside the school, but the fatalities once again included women and children.
Despite Israel’s claims of targeting militants, its strikes on densely populated civilian areas continue to raise concerns, as civilians often bear the brunt of the violence.
The situation remains tense, with both sides locked in a brutal conflict that shows no signs of a swift resolution.
