Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza operation, IDF releases final drone footage

Israeli forces have killed Yahya Sinwar, the top Hamas leader and architect of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, in a Gaza operation, according to military officials on Thursday. Sinwar, 62, had been the most wanted man on Israel's list since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war and was responsible for masterminding the attack that left 1,206 people dead, including many civilians. The attack sparked the ongoing war, with Sinwar remaining in hiding throughout the conflict.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed his death after DNA tests on a body found among three militants killed during a ground operation in Gaza on Wednesday. IDF drone footage showed Sinwar's "last moments" as he sat in a dilapidated house, surrounded by rubble, before throwing an object at the drone. His death came after Israeli troops tracked a group of militants into a building, where a battle ensued, leading to the collapse of the structure. After uncovering the bodies, Israeli forces identified Sinwar by his resemblance and later confirmed his identity through DNA tests.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the IDF’s spokesperson, announced Sinwar’s elimination, calling him a "mass murderer" responsible for some of the most brutal atrocities during the war, including the abduction of 250 Israeli civilians and soldiers. In a separate statement, Foreign Minister Israel Katz described the killing of Sinwar as both a "military and moral achievement," marking an "important landmark in the decline of the evil rule of Hamas."

Sinwar's death came as Israeli forces continued their operations in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, a region heavily devastated by Israel’s air and ground campaigns. The Gaza Health Ministry reported over 42,000 Palestinian deaths since the war began, though the Israeli military has emphasized that its strikes are targeted at Hamas militants while trying to minimize civilian casualties.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the killing of Sinwar as the "beginning of the end" for Hamas but acknowledged that the war in Gaza is far from over. Sinwar, long considered the mastermind behind Hamas’ military operations, was also seen as a key figure in aligning the group closer to Iran and Hezbollah, intensifying regional tensions.

Sinwar’s rise in Hamas began in the late 1980s, and he was imprisoned by Israel for decades for his role in deadly attacks on Israelis. He was released in a 2011 prisoner exchange deal, and in recent years, he solidified his leadership in Hamas while building up the group's military capabilities in Gaza.

Sinwar’s death is a major setback for Hamas, which has already lost several senior leaders in the ongoing conflict. However, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire, with hundreds of thousands displaced and widespread destruction across the region. Israel has committed to continuing its operations until all hostages are returned and Hamas is fully defeated.