Hamas confirms death of leader Yahya Sinwar in Israeli military strike

Qatar-based Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya has confirmed the death of the leader in a video message

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Friday confirmed its leader Yahya Sinwar had been killed by the Israeli military in Gaza, a day after Israel announced his death.

"We mourn the great leader, the martyred brother, Yahya Sinwar, Abu Ibrahim," Qatar-based Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said in a recorded video statement broadcast by Al Jazeera.

Sinwar became Israel's most wanted man after the October 7, 2023 attack, the deadliest in Israeli history.

Khalil Hayya,  adds that captives held in Gaza will not return until Israel stops its attacks on Gaza and withdraws its forces from the besieged enclave.

Speaking in a televised address, Khalil Hayya spoke of “the memory of the fallen martyr, Yahya Sinwar”.

Describing him as “steadfast, brave and intrepid”, Hayya said Sinwar “sacrificed his life to the cause of our liberation”.

“He met his end standing brave, with his head held high, holding his firearm, firing until the last breath, until the last moment of his life.

“[Sinwar] has lived his whole life as a holy fighter. Since his early days, he was engaged in his struggle as a resistant fighter. He stood defiant behind Israeli bars and after his release in a swapped deal, he continued with his struggle and his dedication to the cause.”

Hayya added that Sinwar’s “martyrdom” and the leaders who preceded him “will only increase the strength and resilience of our movement”.

“The occupation prisoners will not return unless the aggression on Gaza stops, there is a complete withdrawal from [Gaza], and our prisoners are released from the prisons,” Hayya said. “Hamas will continue until the establishment of the Palestinian state on all Palestinian soil with Jerusalem as its capital.”

In his statement, Hayya said Hamas would not release the hostages it seized from Israel during the attack until the war in Gaza ends.

Hayya said the Hamas would take strength from Sinwar's killing, which he said has set him among "the leaders and symbols of the movement who preceded him".