The Israeli military has confirmed that its troops in Gaza have killed Hamas’s top leader, Yahya Sinwar, a chief architect of last year’s Oct. 7 attack.
Israel’s military confirmed on Oct. 17 that Israeli troops in Gaza have killed the Hamas terrorist group’s top leader, Yahya Sinwar, a chief architect of last year’s attack on Israel that sparked the war.
“The IDF and ISA confirm that after a year-long pursuit, yesterday (Wednesday), October 16, 2024, IDF soldiers from the Southern Command eliminated Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the Hamas terrorist organization, in an operation in the southern Gaza Strip,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. “Yahya Sinwar planned and executed the October 7th Massacre, promoted his murderous ideology both before and during the war, and was responsible for the murder and abduction of many Israelis.”
The IDF said its troops, working in conjunction with the Israeli Security Agency (ISA), limited Sinwar’s movements as they closed in on his final location.
“Yahya Sinwar was eliminated after hiding for the past year behind the civilian population of Gaza, both above and below ground in Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip,” the IDF said.
Responding to the news, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We have come to terms with Sinwar, this is an important moment in the war.”
Sinwar has topped Israel’s most wanted list since the beginning of the Israel–Hamas war a little more than a year ago, and his death is a powerful blow to the terrorist group.
Sinwar, 61, was seen by Israel as the mastermind behind the Oct. 7, 2023, invasion, during which Hamas terrorists carried out a massacre across southern Israel, leaving about 1,200 people dead and thousands more wounded and taking 251 people captive. About 100 captives remain in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu said in a statement on Oct. 17, addressing the families of the hostages, “We will continue with all our might until the return home of all your loved ones, who are our loved ones.”
He also called for any remaining Hamas members in the Gaza Strip to surrender.
“Whoever lays down his arms and returns our abductees, we will allow him to leave and live,” the Israeli leader said.
By Chris Summers and Ryan Morgan
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