Israel confirmed that Yahya Sinwar was killed by Israeli soldiers on the southern Gaza border. Sinwar had been the leader of Hamas in Gaza since 2017. He was described by Israel, US and UK as being the mastermind behind 7 October attacks, when Hamas gunmen murdered around 1,200 Israelis and took 251 captives. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, stated: “Today, we did as we promised, we settled the score.” The Israeli military confirmed that Sinwar was one of three militants who were killed during a raid in Rafah on Wednesday. It added that no hostages were found at the building. It has previously been claimed that Sinwar would travel with Israeli hostages as a means of protection.Confirmation of his death was delayed by several hours, as Israel compared dental records and fingerprints. Israel would have his genetic data from the years he spent in Israeli prisons. Graphic images circulated online that appeared to show a body that looked like Sinwar lying in rubble, with a severe brain injury. Israel Defense Forces (IDF), at the time, said it was possible that he was killed, but did not want prematurely confirm his death. Netanyahu addressed the families of hostages still in Gaza and said Israel would continue to “continue with our might until we return every one of your beloved ones home, because they are also our loved ones”. What the death of Yahya Sinwar means for the Middle East Netanyahu told Gazans that Sinwar “destroyed your lives”. “This is the dawn of the new day after Hamas. It is a chance for you, residents of Gaza to finally free yourself from its tyranny. “Sinwar was killed after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by an Israeli air strike in Tehran, the Iranian capital in July. Sinwar, also known as Abu Ibrahim, was born in Khan Younis (southern Gaza) in 1962. He was first arrested by Israel at the age of 19 for “Islamic activities”. At 25, he founded the Hamas security service al-Majd which punished those accused of so-called morality offences and suspected to be collaborating with Israel. He was arrested by Israel for “Islamic Activities” at the age of 19. At 25, he founded Hamas’ security service al-Majd which punished those accused for so-called morality offenses and those suspected to be collaborating with Israel. In 1988, he received four life sentences in Israel. But he was released along with 1,027 other prisoners in exchange for Gilad Shalit in 2011. Sinwar’s death was described by Israel Katz, the foreign minister, as a “significant military and moral achievement”. Yoav Gallant, the defence minister, said Sinwar “joins a long series of eliminations”. “This is a message that we want to send to all our enemies. “Hamas has yet to comment on Sinwar’s killing.US President Joe Biden said his death proved “once again that no terrorists anywhere in the world can escape justice”.He added that it was “a good day for Israel, for the United States and for the world”.Former CIA director David Petraeus told BBC Radio 4 that Sinwar’s death was “bigger” than Osama Bin Laden’s in 2012 – “both hugely symbolic… but also hugely operational” as Sinwar was the overall leader of Hamas.Israel’s stated aim for entering Gaza in the wake of the 7 October attack was to destroy Hamas.ReutersBritain’s prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said the UK would “not mourn” Sinwar’s death and called for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and a goal of “long-term, sustainable peace in the Middle East”.French President Emmanuel Macron said the death was an “opportunity” to bring the conflict in the Middle East to an end. France’s President Emmanuel Macron said the death was an “opportunity” to bring the conflict in the Middle East to an end. It does not distinguish between civilians or combatants. Some 101 hostages may still be alive in Gaza. In a joint statement, the families of the 7 American hostages said that “all parties should immediately seize this chance” to bring the hostages home “before it’s too late”. In his remarks, Netanyahu acknowledged that the war is “difficult” and “costing us dearly”, adding: “Today, we made it clear once more what happens to those that harm us.” “Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in IranHamas military chief was killed in July strike, Israel saysIran’s leader defends strikes on Israel in rare public speechIsraeli air strike on north Gaza school kills at least 22, medics sayIsrael-Gaza warIsraelHamasBenjamin Netanyahu
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