Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Killed In Gaza Strike, Israel Confirms
by Ty Roush · ForbesTopline
Israel’s military on Thursday confirmed Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas whom the U.S. and Israel believe orchestrated the militant group’s attack on Israel last year, was killed in a strike in Gaza on Thursday.
Key Facts
Israeli Defense Forces said Sinwar was “eliminated,” after Israel’s military and the Israel Security Agency investigated whether the Hamas leader was among three militant killed during IDF operations in Gaza on Thursday
Israel Katz, Israel’s foreign minister, also confirmed Sinwar was killed Thursday, Reuters reported, adding his death “opens the possibility” for the “immediate release” of hostages.
There were no signs of Israeli hostages present in the building where the three militants were killed, according to the IDF.
Sinwar, 62, has served as Hamas’ leader in Gaza since 2017 and was named the group’s overall leader in August after Ismail Haniyeh, the group’s political chief, was killed in Iran—an attack Hamas blamed on Israel, which has not publicly acknowledged any involvement.
Senior Biden administration officials have believed that, if Sinwar was killed, Israel would end its conflict with Hamas, according to CNN.
President Joe Biden said in a statement “this is a good day” for the U.S. and Israel, and compared the relief felt across Israel to that felt in the U.S. “after President Obama ordered the raid to kill Osama Bin Laden.”
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Who Is Yahya Sinwar?
Sinwar was born in Gaza in the early 1960s and joined Hamas after the militant group was founded in 1987, according to the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank. He helped establish Hamas’ internal security force a year later, and was sentenced to life in prison that same year for plotting to kill two Israeli soldiers and for the deaths of four Palestinians he believed had collaborated with Israel. Sinwar was released by Israel in 2011 as part of a prisoner swap involving more than 1,000 Palestinians. The U.S. filed terrorism charges against Sinwar in September, accusing him and other Hamas leadership officials of orchestrating the group’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. He has not been seen publicly since before the attack, and it is believed he has been hiding in tunnels beneath Gaza, according to Reuters.
Crucial Quote
Vice President Kamala Harris also issued a statement on Sinwar’s death, saying “justice has been served ... and the United States, Israel and the entire world are better off as a result.” Harris also expressed hope that “this moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza,” adding: “It is time for the day after to begin without Hamas in power.”
Key Background
Israel and Hamas have been at war since the militant group attacked Israel last year. Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the State Department. Palestinian health officials have reportedly said at least 41,500 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the conflict began, as of Oct. 1. Israel has carried out several attacks targeting high-ranking Hamas officials in recent months, and previously killed Hasan Nasrallah, leader of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group. The U.S. has pushed Israel and Hamas to seek an end to the conflict amid multiple failed attempts and proposals for a ceasefire, and has warned against a possible escalation with Iran, which backs both Hamas and Hezbollah. Hezbollah, which has supported Hamas in its war with Israel, has launched its own attacks against Israel, which has retaliated with air strikes in recent months. Iran launched missiles against Israel earlier this month, which Iranian officials suggested was a “first wave,” while Israeli officials have warned of retaliation.
What To Watch For
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing Thursday the U.S. will now “redouble its efforts” to return hostages still held by Hamas and end the war. “Over the past few weeks there have been no negotiations because Sinwar has refused to negotiate,” Miller said. “We now see an opportunity with him being removed ... and we want to seize that opportunity.”