In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, has been confirmed dead following an Israeli military operation. Sinwar, who had led Hamas in Gaza since 2017 and was considered the mastermind behind the deadly October 7 attacks, was killed by Israeli forces during a raid in Rafah, southern Gaza.
The Israeli military stated that Sinwar, along with two other Hamas militants, was killed during an operation aimed at high-ranking Hamas figures. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised statement, confirmed Sinwar’s death, saying, “Today, as we promised, we settled the score with him.” Netanyahu vowed to continue efforts to bring home the hostages still held by Hamas, adding, “This is the beginning of the day after Hamas, and an opportunity for the residents of Gaza to finally free themselves from its tyranny.”
Yahya Sinwar’s death follows Israel’s aggressive military campaign against Hamas, following the October 7 attacks that claimed the lives of around 1,200 Israelis. Sinwar, often described as the architect of the assault, was a key figure within Hamas, responsible for overseeing military operations. The group also took over 200 hostages during the attacks, many of whom are still held captive in Gaza.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) disclosed that the operation targeted a building in Rafah where Sinwar was believed to be hiding. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that soldiers encountered three armed militants, including Sinwar, who tried to evade capture by running from house to house. Sinwar, attempting to hide in one of the buildings, was spotted by an Israeli drone. After a brief engagement, Israeli soldiers entered the building and found Sinwar armed with a gun and wearing a vest. Approximately 40,000 shekels were also found on his person.
The final confirmation of Sinwar’s identity came after Israeli authorities compared dental records and fingerprints. Sinwar had spent years in Israeli prisons before his release in a 2011 prisoner swap, providing the necessary biometric data. Graphic images purportedly showing Sinwar’s body circulated online before the official announcement.
The killing of Yahya Sinwar has prompted international reactions, with leaders around the world acknowledging its impact on the broader conflict. U.S. President Joe Biden praised the Israeli operation, stating that Sinwar’s death was “a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world,” while affirming that terrorists anywhere in the world could not escape justice.
Sinwar’s death is seen as both symbolic and operationally significant. Former CIA director David Petraeus remarked that Sinwar’s demise was “bigger” than the killing of Osama bin Laden, given his central role in directing Hamas’s activities in Gaza. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the sentiment that Sinwar’s death could represent a turning point, although Macron warned that it opened a “new phase” in the war.
Israeli military leaders, including Lt. Col. Hertzi Halevi, the chief of the IDF, expressed satisfaction at Sinwar’s death, with Halevi stating, “We said we would get to him, and we did.”
Yahya Sinwar was born in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, in 1962, and he rose to prominence within Hamas during the 1980s. As the founder of the group’s security wing, al-Majd, Sinwar gained a reputation for ruthlessly dealing with suspected collaborators and those accused of morality offenses.
Arrested by Israel at the age of 19 for his activities with Hamas, Sinwar was sentenced to four life terms in 1988 for his involvement in terrorist activities. However, he was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner swap for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who had been held captive by Hamas for over five years.
Since assuming the leadership of Hamas in Gaza in 2017, Sinwar was seen as a hardliner, unwilling to compromise in negotiations with Israel. He had long been a target of Israeli intelligence and military operations due to his pivotal role in organizing attacks and overseeing Hamas’s operations in the Gaza Strip.
Sinwar’s death marks a major victory for Israel in its ongoing war against Hamas, though it is not expected to signal the end of the conflict. Hamas continues to control much of Gaza, and the group has yet to comment on who might replace Sinwar as its leader. With over 101 hostages still believed to be held in Gaza, Israeli officials are determined to continue military operations until they are all safely returned.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza continues to rise, with the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reporting that nearly 42,500 people have been killed since the start of the war.