Over a year after the devastating October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel, the Israeli military has announced a major breakthrough. On Thursday, they confirmed the killing of Yahya Sinwar, the man they believe was the primary architect of that assault. This development raises significant questions about the ongoing conflict with Hamas, the future of the militant group, and the broader geopolitical dynamics in the region, particularly regarding Iran-backed factions like Hezbollah.
Yahya Sinwar’s death, along with the targeted assassinations of other key figures within Hamas and Hezbollah, has left the militant group facing considerable setbacks. US officials see Sinwar’s death as a potential turning point that could open a rare window for ceasefire negotiations. Israel has also killed Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ former political leader, as well as several Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon, which has severely weakened both organizations.
In a televised statement on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the killing of Sinwar as “the beginning of the day after Hamas,” indicating that while Sinwar’s death marks a crucial milestone, the overall mission against Hamas is far from complete. Netanyahu’s message underscored that the military’s operation to dismantle the group’s leadership and infrastructure would continue. For now, Hamas has not publicly responded to reports of Sinwar’s demise.
How Did Sinwar’s Death Happen?
The Israeli military’s pursuit of Yahya Sinwar had been relentless since the October 7 attacks. He was declared the “most-wanted man in Gaza,” with Israeli officials repeatedly vowing that Sinwar would either be captured or killed. Throughout the year-long search, Israeli forces made several attempts to neutralize him, including a raid on his hometown of Khan Younis and an attack on his residence, but he managed to evade capture time and again.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, Sinwar was killed during what Israeli sources described as a routine military operation in Rafah, southern Gaza. Israeli forces reportedly came under fire while near a building and returned fire using a tank. They then deployed a drone to inspect the damaged structure. Military footage released later appeared to show Sinwar in his final moments, sitting amid the rubble, looking directly at the camera, holding a piece of wood, which he throws at the drone.
After troops inspected the wreckage, they discovered Sinwar’s body among those of others killed in the firefight. Using dental records and biometrics, Israeli and US officials confirmed the identity of the Hamas leader. He was found with a gun and over $10,000 in Israeli currency, apparently attempting to flee north before he was fatally shot.
Who Was Yahya Sinwar?
Yahya Sinwar had been a key figure within Hamas for decades, joining the group in the late 1980s. Born in a refugee camp in Gaza, his family was displaced during the Arab-Israeli war. Sinwar quickly rose through the ranks of Hamas after being involved in anti-Israeli activities. He was sentenced to life in an Israeli prison for orchestrating murders but was released in 2011 as part of a high-profile prisoner exchange.
Upon returning to Gaza, Sinwar solidified his influence within Hamas. He founded the group’s feared internal security division, known as the Majd, notorious for its brutal tactics against suspected Israeli collaborators. In 2017, Sinwar became the political leader of Hamas’ Politburo in Gaza. His leadership was characterized by a mix of violent militancy and political pragmatism.
Sinwar was designated a global terrorist by the US in 2015, with similar designations from the EU, UK, and France. After the October 7, 2023, attacks that killed more than 1,200 Israelis, many civilians, Sinwar became one of the most wanted men in the world, with Israeli officials calling him “the butcher from Khan Younis.”
Sinwar’s Role in the October 7 Attacks
While Israel and international observers believe Sinwar was the mastermind behind the October 7 massacre, experts suggest he was part of a broader leadership group that orchestrated the coordinated assault. On that day, Hamas and allied Palestinian groups launched a brutal cross-border offensive into southern Israel, leaving a trail of devastation and taking around 250 hostages back to Gaza. Sinwar played a key role in the subsequent hostage negotiations that involved intermediaries from the US, Egypt, and Qatar.
What Happens Next?
Sinwar’s death is the latest in a series of high-profile assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders as Israel continues its military campaign. With key figures like Ismail Haniyeh and Mohammed Deif also eliminated, Hamas is reeling from the cumulative loss of its leadership. However, questions remain about what will happen next, especially as Mohammed Sinwar, Yahya’s brother, reportedly took over as Hamas’ military commander. If Mohammed Sinwar survived the recent attack, he is likely to continue his brother’s hardline stance.
The US and Israel are closely monitoring the situation, especially as Netanyahu hinted at an intensified effort to negotiate the release of hostages. In a phone call on Thursday, US President Joe Biden and Netanyahu discussed the opportunity to advance negotiations on the hostages following Sinwar’s death.
Despite these developments, the conflict in the region is far from over. Hezbollah, which has also suffered substantial losses, announced a “new and escalating phase” of its conflict with Israel, especially along the Israel-Lebanon border. The wider Middle East conflict continues to simmer, with tensions between Israel and Iran, the major backer of Hamas and Hezbollah, showing no sign of de-escalation.
In Gaza, there is mixed sentiment regarding Sinwar’s death. Some see it as a potential turning point for ending the war, while others remain skeptical, fearing that the loss of their leader may only exacerbate the violence.
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