Hamas Confirms Chief Yahya Sinwar Killed By Israeli Army In Gaza, Says ‘Won’t Free Hostages Till…’

Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar has been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, the Palestinian group confirmed. The Israeli military had previously identified him through DNA and other forensic procedures.

Drone footage released by the Israeli military depicted Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar covered in dust, seated in an armchair with severe injuries.

Source : X/@LTC_Shoshani

Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar has been killed in combat with Israeli forces in Gaza, the Palestinian group confirmed on Friday. The death of the 62-year-old leader was announced by Khalil Hayya, the head of Hamas in Gaza, during a televised address.

Describing Sinwar as "steadfast, brave and intrepid," Hayya praised his commitment to the Palestinian cause. "He met his end standing brave, with his head held high, holding his firearm, firing until the last breath, until the last moment of his life," Hayya stated on the Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa TV, as quoted by Al Jazeera. He added that Sinwar's "martyrdom" alongside other leaders who had fallen before him “will only increase the strength and resilience of our movement.”

Sinwar, who had previously been imprisoned by Israel, was released as part of a prisoner swap deal. Hayya highlighted that Sinwar had remained unwavering in his commitment to the cause even after his release. 

Hayya also addressed the ongoing situation in Gaza, stating that captives held in the territory would not be released until Israeli military operations ceased and forces withdrew from the besieged region. "Hamas will continue until the establishment of the Palestinian state on all Palestinian soil with Jerusalem as its capital," he declared, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar Killed In Gaza

Sinwar's death was first reported by the Israeli military, which announced on Thursday that he had been killed in a surprise firefight in Rafah, a southern city in Gaza. Daniel Hagari, an Israeli army spokesperson, detailed the encounter, noting that Sinwar was among three militants identified by Israeli forces while they were moving between homes. Sinwar reportedly fled alone into a building, where he was subsequently located by a drone.

Drone footage released by the Israeli military depicted Sinwar covered in dust, seated in an armchair with severe injuries and a traditional scarf over his head. The footage showed Sinwar attempting to throw an object at the approaching drone before being fatally shot.

Raw footage of Yahya Sinwar’s last moments: pic.twitter.com/GJGDlu7bie

— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) October 17, 2024

"We found him with a gun and 40,000 shekels ($10,750)," Hagari said, as per Al Jazeera's report. 

The Israeli military conducted DNA tests, dental examinations, and other forensic procedures to confirm Sinwar's identity. Despite prior assertions by Israeli authorities that Sinwar was hiding in tunnels beneath Gaza alongside hostages taken during the October 7 attack, the military stated that "there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the area" where Sinwar was killed.

Sinwar's death follows a series of targeted killings by Israeli forces against Hamas leaders and commanders. He was appointed as the leader of the group on August 6, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran, Iran, on July 31.

Israel regarded Sinwar as a central figure behind the October 7 attack in southern Israel, an event that escalated the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to Gaza's Ministry of Health, Israeli forces have killed at least 42,500 people since the conflict began.