The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) says it has killed Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group.
Sinwar topped Israel’s most-wanted list and was believed to
be the mastermind of the coordinated attacks on the Jewish nation on October 7
last year.
The IDF said Sinwar was killed on Wednesday after a
“year-long pursuit”.
“In recent weeks, IDF and Israeli Security Agency forces,
under the command of the Southern Command, have been operating in the southern
Gaza Strip, following IDF and ISA intelligence that indicated the suspected
locations of senior members of Hamas,” the military said in a statement
released on Thursday.
“IDF soldiers of the
828th Brigade (Bislach) operating in the area identified and eliminated three
terrorists.
“After completing the process of identifying the body, it
can be confirmed that Yahya Sinwar was eliminated.”
Israeli police added that the forensics department completed
a DNA test that affirmed Sinwar’s identification.
An edited clip released by the military showed what appeared
to be the Hamas leader’s last moments.
In the video, a drone flies into a damaged building where a
person — who the IDF says is Sinwar — can be seen sitting on a chair.
The figure’s body was positioned away from the drone but
appeared to be looking toward the unmanned craft. The person’s face is obscured
and sitting alone.
The video showed the figure holding what the IDF highlighted
as a piece of wood, which the person lobs in the direction of the drone.
Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesperson, said Sinwar had been shot
in the hand.
“This is the beginning of the day after Hamas,” Benjamin
Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, said.
“Evil has suffered a heavy blow, but the task before us is
not yet complete.”
The prime minister warned Hamas its leaders would be
eliminated, asking members to surrender and release hostages with a promise of
freedom in return.
Later, US President Joe Biden issued a statement
congratulating Israel on the operation.
“This is a good day for Israel, for the United States and
for the world,” Biden said.
Biden said he would be speaking to Netanyahu to discuss
pathways for bringing hostages home and “ending this war once and for all”.
There was no immediate comment from Hamas.
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