How Hamas leader Sinwar was killed: an AK-47, a tactical vest, and who was with him
Israeli Soldiers surrounding the Body of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, following its discovery earlier in Southern Gaza. (Photo via X)
Israeli army reported Thursday that they are investigating the possibility that top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed during recent operations in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Israeli army, three Hamas members were killed in the strikes, and security agencies are working to confirm whether one of the bodies is indeed that of Sinwar. A photo suggesting Sinwar’s death shows him wearing a tactical vest and holding an AK-74.
Meanwhile, speaking anonymously to Israeli media, several security officials stated that the bodies had been taken to Israel for DNA testing. The Israeli army considers it “highly probable” that one of those killed was Sinwar.
Coincidental assassination, not based on intelligence
Preliminary details indicate that Sinwar was found coincidentally inside a building in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, during a routine Israeli military operation. Israeli soldiers reportedly engaged in a firefight with Hamas fighters near the building, where Sinwar and several other Hamas commanders were located. It remains unclear whether Sinwar was residing in the building or was merely passing through.
Additionally, Israeli soldiers patrolling Tel Sultan, Rafah allegedly spotted Sinwar and his bodyguards moving between buildings. A tank reportedly fired two shells at the structure, resulting in the deaths of the occupants. Soldiers later identified Sinwar’s body among the deceased.
Senior al-Qassam commander was killed with Sinwar
In addition to Sinwar, Mahmoud Hamdan and a third senior al-Qassam commander were also reported killed, with their bodies recovered from the rubble. By Thursday evening, Hamas leadership was reportedly informed of their deaths, although official confirmation is still pending.
Israel says it investigates the death, Biden informed
Israel stated Thursday it is investigating whether Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar was killed during a recent operation in Gaza, a development that could significantly weaken the militant group following the October 7, 2023, attack, which was the deadliest in Israeli history.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden was briefed aboard Air Force One en route to Germany and is being kept informed of developments, according to a U.S. official.
Israeli officials accuse Sinwar of orchestrating the assault, and he has been a primary target for Israeli forces since the outbreak of the ongoing war in Gaza. Sinwar ascended through the ranks of Hamas to become its leader in Gaza and later its overall head following the July assassination of political chief Ismail Haniyeh.
The announcement regarding Sinwar’s fate follows weeks after Israel reportedly killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a major strike in Lebanon, where hostilities have escalated since late September. Additionally, several other commanders aligned with Iran have been killed in recent months.
Earlier this year, Israel claimed it had killed Mohammed Deif, Hamas’s military chief, although the group has not confirmed his death. Deif is alleged to have planned the October 7 attack alongside Sinwar.
