Top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza, claims Israeli army
Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar speaks during a rally marking Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day, in Gaza City, April 14, 2023. (AFP Photo)
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday claimed that there might be a possibility that the top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in the recent operations carried out in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military further stated that operations in Gaza resulted in the elimination of three Hamas members while the Israeli security agencies are investigating the possibility that one of the deceased may be Sinwar.
While initial reports surfaced with images claiming to show Sinwar’s body, Israeli media later retracted these photos following a request for censorship. Currently, the identities of the eliminated individuals have not been confirmed.
Al Jazeera reports that, “We have to stress there is absolutely no confirmation. We have not heard from Hamas.”
The IDF reported no indications of hostages present in the area during the operation, and forces are proceeding with caution as they conduct further activities in the region.
Israeli media outlets claim Yahya Sinwar is killed
Israeli Channel 12 says, “All the tests done indicate that Yahya Sinwar was indeed eliminated.” Israel’s Kan Radio is also reporting that Yahya Sinwar was killed “by chance”, and there was no previous intelligence.
Additionally Israeli officials speaking to Israel’s Channel 12 stated that Yahya Sinwar has been definitively killed.
Israeli authorities are reportedly conducting DNA tests to verify whether one of the militants killed is indeed Sinwar. Reports from the region suggest the likelihood is high, but confirmation may take additional time according to the Israeli ynet report.
“The Israeli cabinet ministers received a personal and detailed update that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was eliminated” says the Israeli media outlet Kan news.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also hinting that Yahya Sinwar might be dead in his social media post. Saying, “And chase the enemy, Leviticus 26 We will reach every terrorist – and eliminate him.”
The future of Hamas remains uncertain. Sinwar had replaced Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran on July 31, 2024. Sinwar held the position of chairman of Hamas’s political bureau for only 2.5 months. His deputy, Khalil al-Hayya, may now take over the position.
Sinwar’s rise in Hamas
Born in 1962 in the Khan Younis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, Sinwar has been involved with Hamas since its inception in the late 1980s. He co-founded the movement’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and played a crucial role in building its intelligence capabilities.
Sinwar was first arrested by Israel in 1988 and sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the kidnapping and killing of two Israeli soldiers. During his time in prison, he became an influential figure among Palestinian prisoners and was released in 2011 as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal, which saw over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners freed.
Sinwar’s leadership, influence
Sinwar is known for his hardline views and has often opposed ceasefires and negotiations with Israel, advocating instead for armed resistance.
His leadership in Gaza has seen increased militarization and a focus on strengthening Hamas’s military capabilities. Despite this, he has also engaged in some pragmatic politics, negotiating cease-fires when it has suited Hamas’s strategic interests.
Sinwar has a reputation for his brutal methods, earning him the nickname “the butcher of Khan Younis.” He was involved in the abduction and killing of Israeli soldiers and Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel.
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