Israeli media claims Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza offensive

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

Israeli media has reported that Hamas politburo chief Yahya Sinwar has been killed in Gaza. Two Israeli media outlets, KAN and N12 News, cited officials on Thursday, claiming Sinwar was dead, though there has been no official confirmation from Hamas.

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.