Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023 attack that ignited the ongoing Gaza war, was killed on Thursday in an Israeli military operation in Rafah, located in southern Gaza.
The announcement came from Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, confirming Sinwar’s death after hours of speculation. The Israeli military initially reported that it was investigating whether Sinwar was among the militants killed during the operation. Dental images and DNA analysis were used to identify his body.
“Mass murderer Yahya Sinwar, responsible for the massacre and atrocities of October 7, was killed today by IDF soldiers,” Katz said in a press release.
Following the operation, Israel’s security cabinet members were briefed on the assassination, and U.S. military officials were also informed. Israel shared photographic evidence believed to show Sinwar’s body to American counterparts.
Sinwar’s death is considered a significant victory for Israel, particularly for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid Israel’s ongoing campaign of targeted killings against high-profile figures within Hamas and other militant groups. This campaign has seen the elimination of several leaders in recent months, weakening the leadership infrastructure of Israel’s adversaries.
Sinwar had risen to prominence after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in August. His whereabouts had remained a mystery since the October 7 attack, with speculation suggesting he was hiding within Gaza’s intricate network of tunnels.
The killing of Sinwar follows a series of strategic strikes by Israel. Hasan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah, was killed recently, along with key figures in the group’s military wing. Additionally, Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif was targeted in July, and his deputy, Marwan Issa, was eliminated in March. In January, a drone strike on southern Beirut killed Saleh al-Arouri, a top Hamas figure and founder of the Qassam Brigades.
The conflict began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of over 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has devastated Gaza, claiming over 42,000 lives and displacing much of the population. Large parts of Gaza lie in ruins, with humanitarian conditions deteriorating rapidly.