Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar confirmed dead
Rookie Israeli soldiers on Wednesday achieved what the Israeli military establishment had been trying to do for more than a year.
They stumbled upon a trio of Hamas fighters in Tel Sultan in Rafah and engaged them in a firefight, killing the three of them.
The clash took place in a building where the Israeli soldiers suspected it may be housing militants.
After the firefight, speculation arose that one of those killed was Yahya Sinwar, widely understood to have masterminded the October 7 attack on the Gaza-Israeli border which triggered a series of events over several hours, that resulted in the deaths of 1,139 civilians and soldiers, and the capturing of 254 others.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video message to the people of Gaza. “Sinwar ruined your lives. He told you he was a lion, but in reality, he hid in a dark den, and he was killed while fleeing in panic from our soldiers. His elimination is an important milestone in the downfall of Hamas’ reign of evil,” he said.
“I want to say again, as clearly as possible: Hamas will no longer rule Gaza. This is the beginning of the day after Hamas, and it is your opportunity, the residents of Gaza, to finally free yourselves from its tyranny.”
“The mastermind behind the worst massacre of our people since the Holocaust, a murderer responsible for the deaths of thousands of Israelis and the abduction of hundreds, has been eliminated by our heroic soldiers. We have settled the score with him. Today, evil took a major blow, but the mission ahead of us is not yet complete,” Mr Netanyahu said.
“It is now clear to everyone, in Israel and around the world, why we insisted on continuing the war. Why we insisted, despite all the pressure, on entering Rafah, Hamas’ fortified stronghold where Sinwar and many top terrorists were hiding. I want to express my deep appreciation to the IDF soldiers, Shin Bet and their commanders for their resolute and brave actions. There is no one better. Today, we once again showed what happens to those who harm us. Today, we once again demonstrated to the world the victory of good over evil,” the Israeli prime minister said.
“The war is not over. It is difficult, and it exacts a heavy price from us,” he added.
The prime minister was not the only to be hailing the death of of the Hamas leader.
“Sinwar concluded his life defeated, chased, fleeing, and not as the commander, but as someone who only worried about himself,” Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister said Thursday night.
“This is a clear message for the families of those fallen and the hostages, but also for the people of Gaza, the end of this man who brought this disaster upon you has come, this is the moment to release the hostage and to surrender.”
U.S. President Joe Biden said on the death of Sinwar, Thursday was “a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world.
He appeared to take partial credit for Sinwar’s death although the operation was unplanned and had no involvement by intelligence agencies.
“With our intelligence help, the IDF relentlessly pursued Hamas’s leaders, flushing them out of their hiding places and forcing them onto the run,” President Biden said in his statement, before saying he would be “speaking soon with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders to congratulate them.”
It was later confirmed the two leaders had spoken, with the U.S. president making the call from Air Force One.