Reports suggest death of key Hamas leader in major Israeli operation
Jerusalem – Israeli officials have reportedly informed ministers that Yahya Sinwar, the senior Hamas leader and mastermind behind the deadly attack on Israel last year, has very likely been killed in a military operation in southern Gaza.
According to Israeli broadcasters citing unnamed sources, Sinwar’s death is being claimed after a strike targeted a building in the Gaza Strip.
Sinwar, Israel’s most wanted target since the October 2023 attack that escalated the Gaza war, was allegedly among three Hamas operatives killed in the raid. However, Israel’s military has yet to officially confirm his death, stating that the identities of the deceased militants could not yet be verified. The military further clarified that no Israeli hostages were believed to have been present at the scene.
Uncertainty from Hamas, celebration in Israel
While Hamas has yet to comment on the reports, Al-Majd, a Hamas-linked media outlet, urged Palestinians to wait for official confirmation from the group rather than rely on Israeli media. Israeli authorities have claimed that the operation, initially planned as a routine raid, inadvertently targeted Sinwar.
If Sinwar’s death is confirmed, it would be a significant victory for Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has overseen several high-profile assassinations of enemy leaders in recent months. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant hinted at the success of the operation with a biblical quote on social media, stating: “‘You will pursue your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword.'”
Gallant also posted images of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and former Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif—both of whom were recently assassinated—leaving a blank space for a third image, implying Sinwar.
Implications for Hamas and the Gaza conflict
Sinwar has been at the top of Israel’s target list since October 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen launched a brutal attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Since then, Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed over 42,000 people and devastated much of Gaza. Despite these efforts, Sinwar had remained elusive, potentially hiding in Hamas’ extensive underground tunnel network.
His possible death marks the most significant blow to Hamas in more than a year of war, as Sinwar played a central role in the day-to-day leadership of the group. His assassination may open the door for renewed ceasefire negotiations, though succession questions remain. Sinwar was known for his uncompromising stance against Israel, and none of his potential successors hold the same influence within Hamas.
As Israel continues its military efforts, claiming to have destroyed much of Hamas’ infrastructure and killed over 18,000 fighters, the group’s leadership faces an uncertain future. Despite heavy losses, small groups of Hamas militants continue to engage Israeli forces amid the rubble of Gaza.