Hamas leader Sinwar assassinated during gunfight in Rafah: Israeli official

Gunfight that resulted in assassination of Sinwar took place in Rafah neighbourhood, Times of Israel cites official.

An Israeli official has told Israeli media that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed during a firefight in a building in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza.

Israeli forces reportedly killed Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, during a military attack in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to an Israeli official speaking to the Times of Israel on Wednesday.

The gunfight, which took place in the Tel Sultan neighbourhood of Rafah, resulted in the assasination of Sinwar after an hours-long battle involving both Israeli ground forces and air support, according to the report.

Hamas has yet to confirm his death.

Details have emerged regarding the operation, which began around 10:00 a.m. when a soldier from Israel's 450th Battalion, part of the Bislamach Brigade, noticed suspicious activity around a building.

The soldier reported the sighting to his commander, who ordered forces to engage the building. As the day progressed, at approximately 3:00 pm.

Israeli drones detected three individuals leaving the building and attempting to move from one structure to another.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) opened fire, injuring the men. Sinwar was seen separating from the group and entering another building alone.

Israeli forces intensified their attack, firing tank shells at the building Sinwar had entered.

A drone deployed to survey the damage detected Sinwar on the second floor, his arm injured and face covered. After Sinwar attempted to throw objects, including grenades and a wooden stick, at the drone, the IDF struck again, ultimately killing him, the reported added.

Troops moved in to identify the body the next morning, and Israeli intelligence services confirmed his identity through DNA and fingerprint analysis.

Sinwar, who was elected as Hamas’s political chief in August 2024, had replaced Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinatged earlier this year in Tehran.

Israeli officials have been clear about their intent to dismantle Hamas’s leadership in Gaza and beyond.

Israel’s actions have been met with widespread condemnation for the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.