- Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leader, was killed by Israeli troops in southern Gaza
- Sinwar was identified through DNA testing after being found in a collapsed structure
- His death marks a significant blow to Hamas, following the earlier killing of Mohammed Deif
As information about Yahya Sinwar’s death in southern Gaza emerged, the Israeli military published drone footage that it claimed showed the Hamas leader’s dying moments.
Israeli troops assassinated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in a fire duel, reportedly unaware they had captured one of the country’s most powerful opponents.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday that Sinwar, the architect of the 7 October attack just over a year ago, had been “eliminated” in southern Gaza.
The Israeli military also published drone footage, claiming it showed the Hamas leader’s final moments before being murdered.
Sinwar, 62, seems injured in the video as he sits in a damaged structure, having been held accountable for the slaughter of 1,200 people by Hamas militants in southern Israel last year.
Sitting on a chair with his face covered in a scarf, he is seen attempting to hurl an object at the drone.
How did the battle unfold?
As more information emerges, it appears that the killing was the product of a fortuitous encounter rather than a planned action.
Israeli sources said the Hamas chief, who intelligence services had pursued for a year, was assassinated after emerging from the group’s underground tunnel system while attempting to flee to a safer place.
They said he was discovered by infantry soldiers investigating an area in Tal El Sultan, southern Gaza, where they suspected Hamas leaders were hiding.
The troops spotted three suspected terrorists moving between houses and opened fire, resulting in a battle in which Sinwar retreated into a collapsed structure.
According to Israeli media reports, tank shells and a missile were launched at the building.
According to Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, he is now only recognised as a fighter.
Troops entered the destroyed building and discovered him with a weapon, a flak jacket and 40,000 shekels ($10,731.63).
“He attempted to flee, and our forces killed him,” Rear Admiral Hagari stated during a televised briefing.
His death was confirmed through DNA testing and other investigations, such as dental records.
There was no official confirmation from Hamas of Sinwar’s murder, but insiders within the group say they have seen evidence that he was certainly assassinated.
Invest in your future with Webull UK – get started with free shares
According to four Israeli army officials interviewed by The New York Times, Sinwar was killed by a unit of trainee squad commanders who unexpectedly encountered him while conducting a routine operation in the area.
The Pentagon stated that US personnel played no role in the killing.
Air Force spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder stated, “This was an Israeli operation.” There were no US forces directly involved.
He stated that the US had provided intelligence on “hostage recovery and the tracking and location of Hamas leaders who have been responsible for holding hostages.” And that certainly contributes to the overall picture.”
No telephones
Sinwar was thought to have stopped using cell phones and other communication equipment in his final months, which could have helped Israel’s intelligence to hunt him down.
He was thought to be hiding in the massive network of tunnels that Hamas had excavated beneath Gaza over the previous two decades. Still, many Israeli troops discovered many during the conflict.
Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Israel’s military chief, stated that Israel’s pursuit of Sinwar had forced him “to act like a fugitive, causing him to change locations multiple times”.
Sinwar’s death is a major blow to Hamas.
The group’s military commander, Mohammed Deif, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on July 13.
Italy sends first asylum seekers to Albania under controversial arrangement
