The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) today, October 17, announced the destruction of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
The corresponding message was published on the IDF page on the social network X.
The Israeli government also confirmed Sinwar’s death, Politico reports.
Today, evil has suffered a heavy blow, but the task before us is not yet completed,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in his speech announcing Sinwar’s death.
It is noted that Netanyahu gave no hint that Sinwar’s killing was the culmination of Israeli actions against the Gaza Strip, as he promised to return the hostages home.
“To the dear families of the hostages, I say: this is an important moment in the war,” he emphasized, “The return of our hostages is an opportunity to achieve all our goals, and this brings the end of the war closer.
Sinwar has led Hamas operations in Gaza since 2017 and is considered a key architect of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in which Palestinian militants killed 1,200 people in Israel.
The fate of a total of 97 hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attacks remains unknown. Among them are seven US citizens. Israeli officials said they believed 33 of those hostages, including three Americans, were dead.
According to Politico’s source, Sinwar was in a building in Rafah in southern Gaza and was found by chance. A routine IDF operation was taking place in the building today.
IDF soldiers exchanged fire with Hamas fighters outside the building, and Sinwar was found inside along with several other Hamas commanders. It is not known whether Sinwar lived in the building or whether he was passing through from another place in Gaza, the publication notes.
It is noted that Israeli officials fear that after Sinwar’s killing, Hamas militants could avenge his death by killing prisoners still held in Gaza.
Israel previously killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July and then killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasral in Beirut in September as it continues to relentlessly attack its Iranian-backed enemies in the region.
Source: Politico
Israel airstrike kills another Hamas commander – Reuters
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.