The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) likely killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during a strike in Gaza, two Israeli officials told POLITICO on Thursday.
Sinwar led Hamas operations in Gaza since 2017, and he is believed to be the key architect of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack in which Palestinian militants killed 1,200 people in Israel.
Israel previously eliminated Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July, then killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut in September, as it relentlessly attacked its Iran-backed enemies in the region.
“We will reach every terrorist — and eliminate him,” said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as authorities took the corpse for DNA testing.
A senior Israeli government official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive subject, said it is “looking like” Sinwar was killed, but they added that his death has “not yet been confirmed,” and the Israel Defense Forces and the country’s intelligence services are scrambling for corroborating evidence.
Former head of the Israeli security agency Shin Bet Ya’akov Peri told POLITICO: “The service called me. They are still checking the body,” he said. He added the big worry now is “where are the hostages?”
Hamas’ remaining Israeli captives have been held near to Sinwar’s hideaways, as a protection to deter Israel from targeting him.
The concern is that some hostages may have been caught up in the attack on Sinwar or that Hamas fighters will avenge his death, if confirmed, by killing captives.
The IDF said: “In the building where the terrorists were eliminated, there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the area. The forces that are operating in the area are continuing to operate with the required caution.”
This story is being updated.
The post Israel has likely killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, officials say appeared first on Politico.
