The mastermind of the 7 October attack that triggered the current war in Gaza has been killed in a neighbourhood of Rafah.
Israel’s military has confirmed the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in southern Gaza. Sinwar, who was believed to have orchestrated the 7 October attack in Israel, was killed in an operation carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Rafah. Here’s what we know so far:
Confirmation from Israel
The IDF issued a statement saying: “After completing the process of identifying the body, it can be confirmed that Yahya Sinwar was eliminated.” The announcement was supported by Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, who described Sinwar as a “mass murderer” responsible for the events of 7 October.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to Sinwar’s death as “the beginning of the end” of the current conflict. He emphasized that while this was a significant milestone, the “task before us is not yet complete” and Israel would continue its operations in Gaza until the war concludes. Netanyahu also stressed the importance of Israeli resilience, urging citizens to remain steadfast as the military prepares to intensify its activities in Rafah.
International Reactions
US President Joe Biden hailed the operation, calling it a “good day” for Israel, the US, and the world, likening the moment to the death of Osama bin Laden. According to Biden, DNA tests confirmed Sinwar’s identity. Biden and Netanyahu are reported to have discussed plans to negotiate the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas.
US Vice-President Kamala Harris also responded positively, stating that “justice has been served.” She suggested that this development could be a pivotal moment to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and highlighted the necessity of addressing the humanitarian situation in the region.
Support from Israeli Leadership
Isaac Herzog, Israel’s president, praised the IDF, the Shin Bet intelligence agency, and other security services for their roles in eliminating Sinwar. Posting on social media platform X, Herzog called Sinwar the “mastermind” behind the 7 October attacks and described him as “responsible for heinous acts of terrorism against Israeli civilians.” He added, “His evil endeavours were dedicated to terror, bloodshed, and destabilizing the Middle East.”
Details of the Operation
According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, no hostages were present at the site of the operation in Rafah, where the IDF claimed to have “eliminated three terrorists.” There had been concerns within Israel’s defence establishment that Sinwar might be using human shields as a means of protection. However, the military confirmed that no civilians were involved in the incident.
US-Israel Defence Cooperation
Israel’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant, reportedly spoke with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin shortly after the announcement of Sinwar’s death. US media sources, including CNN, reported that Austin was informed about the development while attending a NATO meeting in Brussels.
Reports from Israeli Media
Israel’s Kan Radio suggested that Sinwar’s death may have been the result of an unexpected encounter rather than a targeted operation based on intelligence. The station also reported that the bodies recovered at the site were found with large amounts of cash and fake identification documents.
As the conflict continues, the death of Yahya Sinwar marks a critical point in the ongoing efforts by Israel to dismantle Hamas leadership and bring an end to hostilities.
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