Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Dead; Israeli PM Says War Is Not Over Yet

On 17 October 2024, Israel confirmed the death of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza and one of the most wanted individuals by Israeli forces.

Sinwar was killed in an unplanned operation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip.

The operation was conducted by Division 162, which included the 828 Bislach Brigade. A tank from Battalion 195 and infantry from Battalion 450 participated in the assault, which led to the elimination of three terrorists.

One of those killed was later identified as Sinwar.

Identification and Background of Yahya Sinwar

After hours of speculation, Israeli authorities confirmed Sinwar’s death through multiple methods, including matching his dental records and fingerprints. These records were on file from Sinwar’s previous time spent in Israeli prisons.

There were even reports that a severed finger was quickly transported to Israel to expedite the identification process.

Sinwar, 61 at the time of his death, had long been a key figure in Hamas. Born in the Khan Younis refugee camp in southern Gaza, he became known for his brutal role in identifying and eliminating individuals suspected of collaborating with Israel.

He spent 22 years in Israeli prisons before being released in a 2011 prisoner exchange.

In 2017, Sinwar was elected to lead Hamas in Gaza. After the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in July 2024, he took over the leadership of the entire organization.

Israel’s Response and International Reactions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Sinwar’s death as a significant achievement, stating that Israel had “settled its account” with him. Netanyahu further declared that “light is triumphing over darkness” but warned that the war is not yet over.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also described the killing as both a “military and moral victory” for Israel.

As of this writing, Hamas had not issued an official response to the death of Sinwar.

International reactions have varied, with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris calling the incident an opportunity to “finally end the conflict in Gaza.” Meanwhile, other world leaders have urged caution, calling for the release of remaining hostages and urging steps toward de-escalation.