Israel confirms killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza strike

Hamas has not commented on the fate of Sinwar, who was recently elevated to paramount leader of the Palestinian group

Israeli military and government officials confirmed on Thursday the death of Yahya Sinwar, the chief of Hamas' politburo, following a military operation in Gaza. 

The announcement came after a DNA test positively identified Sinwar’s body, according to the Israeli army. The death was initially reported by Israeli media outlets KAN and N12 News earlier in the day.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz highlighted the significance of Sinwar’s death, suggesting it could facilitate the immediate release of hostages. Despite the confirmation from Israel, Hamas has yet to make an official statement on the killing.

The Israeli military had been investigating whether Sinwar was among three Palestinian resistance fighters targeted in a recent offensive in Gaza. 

Earlier, the Israeli military stated it was investigating the possibility that Sinwar had been killed during an offensive targeting three Palestinian resistance fighters in Gaza. Sinwar became the leader of Hamas after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.

Sinwar, Israel’s most wanted Hamas leader, was accused of orchestrating the deadly October 7 cross-border attack that led to Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has reportedly claimed over 45,000 lives, according to local health authorities.

Gaza now lies in devastation after ten months of conflict, exacerbated by a blockade that has cut off food, clean water, and medicine. The Israeli military noted no signs of hostages being present in the targeted building.

Israel has killed several commanders of Hamas in Gaza as well as senior figures of Hezbollah in Lebanon, including its veteran leader Hassan Nasrallah, dealing heavy blows to its arch-foes. Hamas has not commented on the fate of Sinwar, who was recently elevated to paramount leader of Hamas.

The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned Israel earlier on Thursday against attacking the Islamic Republic.

“We tell you (Israel) that if you commit any aggression against any point we will painfully attack the same point of yours,” Hossein Salami said in a televised speech, adding that Iran can penetrate Israel’s defences.

There has been speculation that Israel could strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, as it has long threatened to do and other options include attacks on its vital oil sites.