Gaza Strip: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza, Israel says
Israel said on Thursday it had killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the architect of last year’s October 7 attack which triggered the deadliest war in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Sinwar’s death is a pivotal moment in the year of fighting, delivering a severe blow to the Palestinian militant group and a symbolic victory to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Israel Defense Forces said Sinwar had been killed on Wednesday by soldiers from its southern command in the south of the Gaza Strip, without giving further details. Hamas did not immediately confirm Sinwar’s death.
Netanyahu hailed Sinwar’s death as a “victory of good over evil” and “the beginning of the day after Hamas” rule in Gaza, adding those militants still holding Israeli hostages in the enclave now had an opportunity to release them and be allowed to live.