AQRI.net Reporting from Somalia The Israeli military announced on Thursday that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, was killed during an operation in southern Gaza. Sinwar’s death was confirmed after DNA checks following a raid in which Israeli forces killed three individuals.
“After completing the process of identifying the body, it can be confirmed that Yahya Sinwar was eliminated,” said the Israeli military in a statement. Sinwar, a key figure behind the October 7 attacks on Israel, had long been a target of Israel’s military efforts.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took credit for the operation but stressed that the war on Gaza is far from over. “Today, evil has been dealt a blow, but our task is not yet complete,” he said, reiterating his commitment to securing the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
Nearly 250 people were taken captive during Hamas’s October attacks, with about 70 still believed to be held. Meanwhile, Hamas has yet to comment on Israel’s claim of Sinwar’s death.
Sinwar, who had led Hamas in Gaza since 2017, was imprisoned for 22 years by Israel before being released in a 2011 prisoner swap. His death follows the killings of other top Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in recent months, as Israel’s war on Gaza sparks wider regional conflict involving Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran.