Israel announced on Thursday that its forces had killed Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader and mastermind behind the deadly October 7 attack. The Israeli military said Sinwar was eliminated in a targeted operation in the southern Gaza Strip after a year-long pursuit. Sinwar, considered a key figure in Hamas, had risen through the ranks to lead the group and had been a central target since the beginning of the Gaza war.
“Today, evil has suffered a heavy blow,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. While acknowledging that the conflict is not yet over, Netanyahu hailed Sinwar’s death as a significant step in dismantling Hamas.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz described Sinwar as a “mass murderer” responsible for the October 7 massacre, while President Isaac Herzog praised the operation that took down the militant leader behind “heinous acts of terrorism.”
Though Hamas has yet to confirm his death, Israeli forces have conducted DNA tests to verify Sinwar’s identity, following an operation in Gaza that resulted in the deaths of three militants.
Sinwar’s death follows weeks of intense Israeli military actions and comes as part of a broader campaign against Hamas and its allies. Israel has also expanded operations in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions amid low-intensity cross-border strikes.
U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the news, calling it a “good day for Israel, the United States, and the world.” He emphasized the potential for a future in Gaza without Hamas in power, raising hopes for a political settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.
As the conflict continues, calls for the release of hostages taken during the October 7 attack have intensified. Israel’s military chief, Herzi Halevi, vowed to bring all hostages home while continuing to target Hamas militants involved in the deadly assault. International leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, have also urged Hamas to release all hostages.
The war, which erupted following Hamas’ attack, has claimed thousands of lives on both sides, with Israeli retaliatory strikes causing widespread destruction and casualties in Gaza.
