The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Yahya Sinwar, considered the mastermind behind the October 7 attack just over a year ago, was “eliminated” in southern Gaza on Wednesday (16).
The Israeli army also released drone footage that, according to them, shows the final moments of the Hamas leader before he was killed. In the footage, a man with his face covered can be seen sitting on a sofa, apparently injured. He attempts to strike the drone that was inside the apartment with what appears to be a piece of wood.
Israeli authorities said that the Hamas leader, who had been hunted by intelligence services since last year, was killed after emerging from the group’s underground tunnel system while trying to escape to a safer location.
They stated that Sinwar was found by infantry soldiers who were searching an area in Tal El Sultan, in southern Gaza, where they believed senior Hamas members were located.
The troops saw three suspected militants moving between buildings and opened fire, leading to a shootout during which Sinwar escaped to a ruined building.
The Israeli military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said that at that moment, he was only identified as a fighter.
The troops entered the ruined building and found him with a weapon, a bulletproof vest, and 40,000 shekels (US$ 10,731.63).
“He tried to escape and our forces eliminated him,” said Rear Admiral Hagari during a televised briefing.
His death was confirmed after DNA tests and other verifications, such as dental records.
It is believed that in the last months of his life, Sinwar stopped using phones and other communication devices that could have allowed Israeli intelligence to locate him.
He was thought to be hiding in the vast network of tunnels that Hamas has dug under Gaza over the past two decades, but many were discovered by Israeli troops during the war.
Israel’s military chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, said that Israel’s hunt for Sinwar led him “to act like a fugitive, causing him to change locations several times.”
Sinwar’s death is a huge blow to Hamas.
However, it seems that the war is still far from over. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Sinwar’s death marked “the beginning of the day after Hamas.” He promised that Israel would continue fighting against Hamas in Gaza until all hostages return home.
Source: Sky News and CNN