Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar
The Israeli military on Thursday told how Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in a firefight after being tracked “going from home to home” desperately seeking to avoid detection in southern Gaza.
Israel has hailed the death of the 61-year-old Sinwar as one of the most important blows it has dealt Hamas since the Gaza war started with the group’s October 7, 2023 attacks.
The Israeli military “confirms that after a year-long pursuit, yesterday (Wednesday), October 16, 2024, IDF (military) soldiers from the Southern Command eliminated Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the Hamas terrorist organisation, in an operation in the southern Gaza Strip,” it said in a statement.
“The dozens of operations carried out by the IDF and the ISA (Shin Bet internal security agency) over the last year, and in recent weeks in the area where he was eliminated, restricted Yahya Sinwar’s operational movement as he was pursued by the forces and led to his elimination,” it added.
“IDF soldiers of the 828th Brigade (Bislach) operating in the area identified and eliminated three terrorists. After completing the process of identifying the body, it can be confirmed that Yahya Sinwar was eliminated.”
In a later statement, military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Sinwar was killed after being spotted with two other fighters in the territory’s Rafah district.
“The forces idenfitied three terrorists who were going from home to home on the run,” Hagari told a briefing.
Troops engaged the group, forcing Sinwar to flee as the group dispersed after being shot.
“Sinwar ran away alone into one of the buildings and our forces scanned the area with a drone – which you can see in this film — Yahya Sinwar injured his hand in the shooting, who can be seen here covered with his face, he threw a branch at the drone,” said Hagari.
– No hostages with Sinwar –
Drone footage released by the military showed Sinwar alone in a blown-up apartment, with one hand severly injured and head covered in a traditional scarf, throwing a stick at the approaching drone during his final moments.
“We identified him as a terrorist inside a building and we shot into the building and we entered to scan the area. We found him with a gun and 40 thousand shekels. He was on the run and our forces eliminated him,” said Hagari.
“Near the terrorists we eliminated were no hostages and our forces are now screening the area,” he added.
Israel accuses Sinwar of being the mastermind of the October 7 attacks along with Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif.
The Israeli military said Deif was killed in a strike earlier this year though the Palestinian group has not confirmed it.
Sinwar in August replaced Hamas’s former chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Iran on July 31. Israel has not commented on Haniyeh’s death.
The Hamas attack last year resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people on Israeli soil, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures that include hostages killed in captivity.
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has killed 42,438 people, a majority of them civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. The UN acknowledges the figures to be reliable.
In one of the most high-profile operations in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Israeli military has reportedly tracked and killed Yahya Sinwar, the chief of Hamas in Gaza. Sinwar, a key figure in Hamas’ leadership, was considered a mastermind behind many of the group’s military operations and had played a crucial role in shaping its militant strategies.
The Man Behind Hamas’ Military Strategy
Yahya Sinwar, often described as one of Hamas’ most powerful and dangerous leaders, had risen through the ranks of the organization since his early involvement. Known for his hardline stance, Sinwar was appointed as the head of Hamas in Gaza in 2017. His tenure was marked by increased aggression and a steadfast refusal to negotiate peace with Israel.
Sinwar, a former prisoner in Israel who was released in the 2011 prisoner exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, used his time in Israeli prisons to further radicalize his beliefs. Upon his release, he quickly resumed his activities with Hamas, eventually becoming one of the group’s most influential figures. Sinwar was heavily involved in coordinating military operations, including rocket attacks, tunnel constructions, and other tactics aimed at destabilizing Israel.
Israel’s Intelligence Operation
The successful targeting of Yahya Sinwar came after an extensive Israeli intelligence operation, which involved various military and intelligence agencies working in coordination. Israel’s security forces have long been known for their sophisticated intelligence-gathering capabilities, and in this case, they employed a combination of technology, human intelligence, and drone surveillance to locate Sinwar.
Sources suggest that Israeli intelligence had been tracking Sinwar’s movements for months, gathering information about his hideouts, operational locations, and communication networks. This intelligence included intercepting phone calls, monitoring social media activity, and using local informants within Gaza. Sinwar was reportedly cautious about his security, frequently changing locations and limiting his communications to avoid detection. However, Israel’s intelligence agencies were able to identify patterns in his behavior, which ultimately led to his precise location.
The Strike
Once Sinwar’s location was confirmed, the Israeli military moved swiftly to eliminate the Hamas leader. On the day of the strike, Israeli fighter jets targeted a compound where Sinwar was believed to be hiding. The operation was carefully timed and executed, using precision-guided munitions to ensure minimal collateral damage while ensuring the death of the target. The airstrike resulted in the destruction of the building where Sinwar and several other high-ranking Hamas members were believed to be meeting.
Israeli officials later confirmed the successful operation, stating that Sinwar’s death was a significant blow to Hamas’ leadership. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the operation as a “strategic victory” for Israel, highlighting the importance of removing a leader who had been instrumental in planning attacks against Israel.
Repercussions and Aftermath
The killing of Yahya Sinwar is expected to have far-reaching consequences for both Hamas and the broader conflict between Israel and Gaza. As one of Hamas’ most senior leaders, Sinwar’s death leaves a vacuum in the group’s leadership. However, Hamas has a deeply entrenched leadership structure, and while the loss of Sinwar is significant, the organization is likely to continue its operations under the remaining leaders.
In the immediate aftermath of the strike, Hamas vowed retaliation, with several spokesmen calling for increased attacks on Israel. Sinwar’s death could escalate tensions in the region, leading to further rounds of violence between Hamas and Israeli forces. However, Israeli officials have emphasized that this operation is part of a broader strategy to weaken Hamas’ military capabilities and deter future aggression.
For Israel, the elimination of Sinwar is a symbolic and strategic win. He was not only a military leader but also a symbol of resistance for Hamas. His death sends a message to other militant leaders that Israel’s intelligence and military reach are formidable and that no leader is beyond their grasp.
Conclusion
The killing of Yahya Sinwar marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. While it may temporarily disrupt Hamas’ leadership and operations, it is unlikely to bring an end to the violence. The region remains fraught with tension, and the cycle of retaliation between Israel and Hamas is likely to continue. However, Sinwar’s death is a clear demonstration of Israel’s resolve to neutralize key threats and to safeguard its national security, regardless of the challenges it faces in doing so.
