Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, was killed in a firefight in Rafah, southern Gaza on Wednesday, according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The Israeli military said his death dealt a major blow to Hamas leadership, with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it “the beginning of the end” for the group’s rule in Gaza.
Sinwar, who had led Hamas in Gaza since 2017, was responsible for orchestrating the devastating assault on southern Israel in 2023, which resulted in the deaths and abductions of numerous Israeli civilians and soldiers. The Israeli government had been actively pursuing him for over a year.
An Image claimed to show the moment that the Body of Yahya Sinwar, the Senior Leader of Hamas, was removed from the Building he was Eliminated in near Rafah in Southern Gaza. pic.twitter.com/sUholvO6y7
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 17, 2024
According to the IDF, Sinwar was killed in a tank strike that partially collapsed a building in Rafah, and his identity was confirmed the following day through DNA testing. The encounter with Sinwar and two other Hamas operatives was reportedly not pre-planned. IDF soldiers from the 828th Brigade encountered the group during a broader military sweep of the area. After engaging the group in a firefight, a tank strike was ordered, leading to the collapse of the building. When troops entered the site, they realized that one of the bodies resembled Sinwar.
Drone Footage showing the Leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar armed with a Stick and hiding behind several Chairs on the Second Floor of a Building, right before his Elimination. pic.twitter.com/a3tOcfFXWV
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 17, 2024
Netanyahu expressed hopes that Sinwar’s death would accelerate the dismantling of Hamas in Gaza and would lead to the release of the remaining 101 hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attacks. The Israeli government has indicated that responsibility for the hostages now lies with Hamas leaders outside of Gaza. Netanyahu also hinted at potential negotiations for a ceasefire, stating that the death of Hamas’s top leader opened opportunities for diplomatic resolutions.
Netanyahu: Yahya Sinwar is dead.
He was killed in Rafah by the brave soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces.
While this is not the end of the war in Gaza, it’s the beginning of the end.
Full statement:
1 year ago Yayah Sinwar, the terrorist chief of Hamamxs launched the… pic.twitter.com/WCdyfmfvdk
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) October 17, 2024
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