Israel Claims to Have Killed Yahya Sinwar

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Israel has claimed that it successfully killed a senior leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar during a confrontation in Rafah, in the Gaza Strip.

According to the Israeli military, Yahya Sinwar, who was allegedly responsible for orchestrating the attack on Israel on October 7 last year, which triggered the latest conflict—was killed on Wednesday.

“After completing the identification process, it is confirmed that the target has been eliminated,” the Israeli military said in a statement.

“The Israeli military and the Shin Bet internal security service have carried out multiple operations over the past year, with intensified efforts in recent weeks, in the area where he was killed.”

“His movements were restricted, allowing us to track and eliminate him,” the statement added, as reported by Qatar-based Al Jazeera.

So far, Hamas has not released an official response to Israel’s claim.

Reports indicate that the Israeli military used the Yahya Sinwar’s dental records to verify the identity of the body recovered from the rubble of a building in Rafah.

When the body of Yahya Sinwar was discovered, he was reportedly wearing a combat vest, with a keffiyeh—the symbolic scarf associated with the Palestinian struggle—wrapped around his neck.

He was also holding an AK-47 rifle in one hand and prayer beads in the other, with a prayer book found inside his clothing.

Two bodyguards accompanying the leader were also killed in the clash.

Observers suggest Yahya Sinwar was killed while fighting alongside Palestinian militants against Israeli forces on the battlefield.

If the death is confirmed, it is likely that Khaled Meshaal, the second-in-command, will assume leadership.

Yahya Sinwar had taken control of Hamas following the death of Ismail Haniyeh, who was reportedly killed in a bomb blast in Tehran several months ago, an incident attributed to Israeli intelligence. – DSA