Israel Says Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Killed in Gaza Operation

Israel Celebrates "Settling of Scores" with Hamas, as Yahya Sinwar, viewed as the architect of the October 7th attacks last year, is killed.

File photo of the Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar, from April 20222.

Israel Celebrates "Settling of Scores" with Hamas

JERUSALEM – Israeli forces announced the killing of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' top leader in Gaza, in a significant blow to the militant organisation. Sinwar was reportedly killed during an Israeli military operation in Gaza's southern city of Rafah. While Israeli troops were not specifically targeting Sinwar, they unknowingly came across him, and his identity was confirmed after discovering his body in the rubble.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the nation, hailed the event as a "settling of scores" with one of the masterminds behind last year’s deadly attacks on Israel. However, Netanyahu cautioned, “Our war has not yet ended,” reaffirming Israel’s intent to continue its military efforts in Gaza until Hamas is dismantled and the remaining hostages, still held by the group, are freed.

Netanyahu: "Today Evil Has Suffered a Heavy Blow"

In his statement, Netanyahu expressed satisfaction with the killing but acknowledged the ongoing challenge, saying, “Today evil has suffered a heavy blow, but the task before us is not yet complete.” He emphasised the importance of securing the release of the hostages held by Hamas, offering safe passage for those within Hamas who surrendered their weapons and cooperated in freeing the captives.

Hamas' Leadership Hit Hard by Israeli Operations

Sinwar’s death is a major blow to Hamas, following the killing of other senior leaders, including the head of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh, in earlier Israeli strikes. Sinwar had been a key figure in Hamas' operations for years, having survived both brain cancer and Israeli imprisonment. Elevated to leadership in Gaza after Haniyeh’s death in July, Sinwar has been closely linked to Hamas' military planning.

For Israel, his elimination represents a symbolic and strategic victory. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant urged Hamas fighters to "release the hostages, raise your hands, surrender."

Accidental Discovery in a Deadly Battle

Israeli military officials disclosed that Sinwar was not the intended target of the specific operation in Rafah. Sinwar was spotted engaging in combat and fleeing into a building, which Israeli tanks subsequently destroyed. An Israeli official stated that the military had not anticipated finding Sinwar in that area but described the army's response as “very, very strong.”

Photos shared online purportedly showed Sinwar's body, identified later through dental records and fingerprints. DNA testing is still underway to confirm the identity.

Ongoing Conflict and High Casualties in Gaza

Israel’s Gaza campaign, launched after the deadly October 2023 Hamas attack that left over 1,200 Israelis dead, has resulted in over 42,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The Israeli military maintains that its strikes are targeted at militants, but civilian casualties remain high, with women and children making up a significant portion of the fatalities.

An Israeli airstrike on Thursday hit a school sheltering displaced Palestinians, killing at least 28 people, including women and children. The Israeli military stated the school was being used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants as a command centre, although these claims have not yet been independently verified.

With Sinwar's death, Israel has struck a critical blow to Hamas, but the larger conflict, marked by hostilities and suffering on both sides, shows no sign of abating.

Peace Remains Elusive

The killing of Yahya Sinwar marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, raising hopes for a potential turning point. While both sides remain deeply entrenched in their positions, the call for a ceasefire grows louder across the international community. With the loss of key Hamas leadership, there may be a fragile opening for dialogue, offering a glimmer of hope that the violence could give way to diplomacy. However, as Israel continues its military operations and Hamas proves its unexpected resilience, the road to lasting peace remains uncertain. Yet, with renewed efforts from global actors, there is cautious optimism that a ceasefire could be within reach, paving the way for a more sustainable resolution to the conflict.