Israeli FM Confirms Death of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza Operation
Israel Katz confirmed that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, mastermind of the October 7 attack, was killed by IDF soldiers in Gaza. Sinwar was eliminated during an operation targeting terrorists in a building—a major blow to Hamas
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has officially confirmed that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas and a key mastermind behind the devastating October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has been killed in an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) strike. Katz made the announcement in a message to dozens of foreign ministers around the world, becoming the first Israeli official to go on record confirming Sinwar’s death.
“The mass murderer Yahya Sinwar, who is responsible for the massacre and atrocities of October 7, was killed today by IDF soldiers,” said Katz. “This is a great military and moral achievement for Israel and a victory for the entire free world against the evil axis of radical Islam led by Iran,” he added.
Sinwar’s death, Katz emphasized, could create new opportunities for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and for eliminating Hamas and Iranian influence from the region. “Israel needs your support and assistance now more than ever to advance these important goals together,” he concluded.
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Sinwar was targeted during an IDF operation in Gaza, where troops had struck a building after spotting multiple Hamas operatives entering it. According to reports, troops were initially unaware that Sinwar was inside. When the building was struck and collapsed, soldiers later found a body wearing a military vest carrying grenades, which resembled the notorious Hamas leader.
Israeli military officials say they are still conducting DNA tests to fully confirm the identity, though a senior Israeli official had already indicated with a “high likelihood” that Sinwar was among those killed in the strike.
The strike is seen as a significant blow to Hamas, which has already lost several senior commanders in the ongoing conflict. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in a separate statement, reinforced Israel’s commitment to neutralizing Hamas leadership, stating, “We will reach every terrorist and eliminate them.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also instructed military officials to inform the families of hostages that none were harmed during the strike. Earlier speculation had suggested that Sinwar was using Israeli hostages as human shields, though no hostages were found in the building where the strike occurred.
