Reports are indicating that Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader and the mastermind of the October 7 massacre in Israel, has been killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) have issued a joint statement acknowledging the elimination of three terrorists in Gaza after working to confirm Sinwar was among them.
“During IDF operations in Gaza, three terrorists were eliminated,” the Israeli military stated. “The IDF and ISA are checking the possibility that one of the terrorists was Yahya Sinwar. At this stage, the identity of the terrorists cannot be confirmed.”
Unnamed Israeli officials have reported that Sinwar is believed to be among those killed. Photographic evidence seems to support that Sinwar was slain.
Warning: The following pictures are extremely graphic.
https://twitter.com/Doranimated/status/1846895121121288397
The image of Victory from the Elimination of Sinwar pic.twitter.com/d3vQ1IR0EX
— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) October 17, 2024
The operation that led to Sinwar’s death was reportedly a routine raid that caught the Hamas leader by chance.
The man in the above image bears a strong resemblance to Sinwar and is wearing a vest carrying grenades, according to Israeli media. CNN analysis suggests the image has not been manipulated.
Saudi and Israeli media claim that preliminary DNA and dental tests indicate Sinwar was indeed one of the men killed in Rafah.
Sinwar, who orchestrated the October 7 attack that resulted in over 1,200 deaths — mostly civilians — and the taking of more than 250 hostages was believed to be hiding in Hamas tunnels throughout the Gaza Strip. The IDF had previously obtained footage of Sinwar walking through tunnels in February.
Israeli Defense Forces celebrate the potential death on social media —
Eliminated: Yahya Sinwar.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 17, 2024
Hamas has not confirmed or denied the reports, urging people on Telegram to be wary of “fake news” and to rely on the group’s official statements.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed that there were no signs of hostages present at the site of the strike, addressing previous concerns that Sinwar might be using captives as human shields.