Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar reportedly killed in Gaza strike, Israeli sources claim

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind last October's devastating attack on Israel that ignited the Gaza war, has likely been killed in an Israeli military operation, according to unnamed officials cited by Israeli broadcasters.

Israeli ministers were informed that Sinwar, considered Israel's most wanted enemy, was probably killed during an operation in southern Gaza. However, the military has not confirmed this, stating that it is still verifying if Sinwar was among the three operatives killed in the Gaza raid.

“There are currently no signs that Israeli hostages were in the building where the operatives were killed,” the military added in a statement.

Al-Majd, a Hamas-affiliated website, has urged Palestinians to await official information from Hamas rather than rely on Israeli media, which it accused of attempting to demoralize them.

The operation was reported as a routine raid that unexpectedly targeted Sinwar. If confirmed, Sinwar’s death would mark a significant victory for the Israeli military and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who have recently carried out several high-profile assassinations of enemy leaders.

Families of the 101 Israeli and foreign hostages still held in Gaza expressed relief at the news but emphasized the need for a diplomatic agreement to secure the hostages' release. "We call on the Israeli government, world leaders, and mediating countries to leverage this military achievement into a diplomatic one by pursuing an immediate agreement for the release of all 101 hostages," they stated.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant posted a message on social media platform X, quoting Leviticus 26: "You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword." The post included images of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and former Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, both of whom were assassinated, with a blank space for a third picture, all crossed out in red.

Sinwar, a key figure in Hamas, was known for his uncompromising stance and ruthless enforcement within the organization. He had evaded Israeli forces for over a year by possibly hiding in the extensive network of tunnels Hamas has constructed under Gaza.

Sinwar's death would be the most significant loss for Hamas since the conflict began, potentially impacting the group's operational capabilities more severely than the earlier assassination of former political leader Ismail Haniyeh. The future leadership of Hamas remains uncertain, with no clear successor possessing Sinwar's level of influence.

Despite Israeli claims of having decimated Hamas as an organized military force and killing over 18,000 fighters, fierce battles continue with small groups of militants in Gaza. The potential death of Sinwar could pave the way for renewed efforts toward a ceasefire to end the ongoing conflict.