Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, has been killed in an Israeli military operation in Gaza on Thursday, according to Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
Sinwar, 62, is alleged by the Israeli government as the mastermind of the October 7 attacks on Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 others.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) reported that Sinwar was killed in a ground operation that also eliminated three other Hamas members with him.
However, there was initially some confusion over the timing of Sinwar’s death, with the IDF stating it occurred yesterday, while Katz claimed it happened today.
David H. Petraeus, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, described Sinwar’s killing as “bigger” than that of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011, citing his significant operational and symbolic role in Hamas.
Sinwar had been a primary target for Israeli forces since the October 7 attacks, but previous attempts to assassinate him were reportedly hindered by concerns that he was surrounded by Israeli hostages and carrying explosives.
The killing of Sinwar is seen as a major blow to Hamas, particularly given his alleged role in planning the October 7 attacks. His death follows the reported killing of other senior Hamas and Iran-backed militant commanders, including Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a surprise assault on Israel across the border in Gaza. Although it is seen as the genesis of the current crisis in the Middle East, the Palestinians allege, in turn, that they have endured decades of Israeli occupation and intimidation in their land.
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