The Israel Defence Forces, IDF, has confirmed the killing the killing of Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, in a Thursday operation in Gaza.
“Yahya SInwar was eliminated after hiding for the past year behind the civilian population of Gaza,” the IDF said.
In his response, Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog said, “His evil endeavours were dedicated to terror, bloodshed, and destabilising the Middle East.
“We must act in every way possible to bring back the 101 hostages who are still being held in horrific conditions by Hamas terrorists in Gaza,” President Herzog added.
Sinwar was believed to be the mastermind of the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel, which led to the death of over 1,200 Israelis and also the kidnapping of over 200 persons, including revellers at the Nova music festival.
The IDF, in its latest post on the social media platform X (former Twitter), said, “Eliminated. Yahya Sinwar”
The force had earlier posted that Sinwar could be among three terrorists killed by the IDF soldiers in the operation.
“During IDF operations in Gaza, three (3) terrorists were eliminated. The IDF and ISA are checking the possibility that one of the terrorists was Yahya Sinwar.
“At this stage, the identity of the terrorists cannot be confirmed. In the building where the terrorists were eliminated, there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the area.
“The forces that are operating in the area are continuing to operate with the required caution,” the statement added.
It was learnt that Sinwar’s death was confirmed after dental and DNA checks were carried out on his body after the military operation that led to his death along with two other Hamas fighters
Naija Daily News reports that Sinwar is believed to be one of the deadliest operatives of Hamas, a Palestinian organisation that has been designated a terrorist group by the US and some European countries.
The IDF and Israel Security Agency, ISA, had carried out some crushing elimination attacks on many Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, killing dozens of high-profile targets in the last two months.
The victims include Hasan Nasrallah, Hezbollah leader, Ismail Haniyeh, and other leaders of the two groups, but it has failed to quell attacks on Israel, by Islamist groups in the region, including Iran, which bombarded Isreal with nearly 200 missiles on 1 October.
Yahya Sinwar: Born into War, Fought, Died in a War
Born in 1962 in a refugee camp in Khan Younis, Gaza
At the age of 20, he was arrested by Israel for ‘Islamic Activities’
Rose through the rank of Hamas, the militant wing of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, became a prominent political and militant leader of the body.
Was elected Hamas leader in Gaza, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, whose death (also killed by Israel) paved the way for his elevation to head of the group.
Sinwar played a significant role in shaping Hamas’s policies and strategies, particularly during conflicts with Israel. Sinwar’s leadership reflects a blend of military and political approaches, focusing on both governance in Gaza and the ongoing conflict with Israel.
His tenure has been marked by challenges, including economic difficulties and international isolation faced by Gaza. The high point of his Hamas leadership was masterminding the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, which claimed over 1,200 persons and took over 200 hostages.
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO AN EARLIER POST
