The Israeli military has announced that it is investigating whether Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, one of Israel’s most wanted figures, was among three operatives killed in a recent operation in Gaza. Although the identities of the militants have not yet been confirmed, there are suspicions that Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, could be among the dead. Israeli forces are conducting DNA tests to verify the identities.
The operation took place in Rafah, southern Gaza, as part of Israel’s continued efforts to eliminate key Hamas figures. The deaths, if confirmed, would follow a series of high-profile assassinations by Israel in recent months, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif. Sinwar, who has been in hiding within the complex network of tunnels under Gaza, assumed leadership of Hamas after Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination in Tehran in July 2024.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reaffirmed Israel’s determination to eliminate its enemies, posting a biblical quote referencing the pursuit of enemies. Hamas has not officially commented on the reports, and a Hamas-linked website has urged Palestinians to wait for verified information from their own sources rather than relying on Israeli reports.
This operation is part of Israel’s ongoing response to the deadly October 7 attack that resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of more than 250 hostages into Gaza. In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has led to over 42,000 casualties in Gaza, with much of the region left in ruins, and its population largely displaced.
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