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Killing of Yahya Sinwar
Part of the Israel–Hamas war and Rafah offensive
Type	Shootout
Location	Rafah, Gaza Strip 31°17′19″N 34°15′7″E / 31.28861°N 34.25194°E / 31.28861; 34.25194
Date	17 October 2024
Executed by	Israel Defense Forces
Casualties	3 militants killed (including Yahya Sinwar)
RafahLocation within the Gaza Strip

On 17 October 2024, it was alleged by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet, that Hamas political leader Yahya Sinwar had been killed in a gunfight with the non-elite unit in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. Tank shells were fired at a booby-trapped building and a drone equipped with a camera was brought in to ensure that it was empty of fighters. Israel's Army Radio stated that DNA tests were being conducted to determine if Sinwar was killed. Sinwar, who was one of Israel's most wanted men after the October 7 attack, was in a building with two others. The military operation was described as random and not planned in advance. The investigators who interrogated Sinwar as well as a dentist were called in to identify the body. The body was transferred to Israel.

At the time of his killing Sinwar was not underground and was not using hostages as shields. In a joint statement from the IDF and Shin Bet spokespersons, it was stated: "there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the area."

Background

Yahya Sinwar has served as Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip since February 2017. His leadership was characterized by a focus on military strengthening and alliances with Iran and Hezbollah. Committed to the destruction of Israel, he was one of the main architects of the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023. The group, under his leadership, had been planning this assault for two years prior to its execution.

In September 2015, Sinwar was designated a terrorist by the United States government. In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice announced criminal charges against Sinwar for his role in the 7 October attacks.

In February 2024, a video was published of Sinwar moving in a tunnel with his family. There was also speculation in August that he would emerge above ground in a woman's cloak. Sinwar was chosen as head of the movement's political bureau on August 6, 2024, after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.

Killing

On October 17, 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported a "high likelihood" that Sinwar was killed in Rafah. The IDF had engaged in a firefight with a group of terrorists the previous day, killing three operatives. Following the incident, troops discovered a body that resembled Sinwar while assessing the collapsed building where the exchange occurred. The shooting was carried out by conscript soldiers from a non-elite unit who did not know who they were fighting, according to Kan. There were no hostages nearby.

Following this, Israeli officials informed the security cabinet of Sinwar's likely death. Although IDF forces were not specifically targeting Sinwar during the operation, they did not anticipate his presence in the area.

Initial reports indicated that DNA, dental, and fingerprint tests would be conducted for formal identification, as the IDF holds Sinwar's records from his time in prison. Unverified photos circulated on social media purportedly showed the body believed to be Sinwar.

Reactions

Israel

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tweeted that "Israel is committed to eliminating terrorists wherever they are".

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the government must seize the opportunity to act decisively regarding the hostages.

References

2. "Arab media reports: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza - report". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 17 October 2024.
3. Reuters (17 October 2024). "Israeli military says Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar may have been killed in recent strike". CBC. Retrieved 17 October 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
4. "IDF investigates if Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was eliminated in gaza". www.israelhayom.com. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
5. "Who is Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar - the terror leader who might've been killed in Gaza?". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
6. Nakhoul, Samia (17 October 2024). "Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader committed to eradicating Israel". Reuters.
7. "Shadowy Hamas leader in Gaza is at top of Israel's hit list after last month's deadly attack". Associated Press. 22 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
8. Vasilyeva, Nataliya (20 November 2023). "Mastermind behind Hamas attacks personally handling hostage negotiations". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
9. Estrin, Daniel (3 December 2023). "The shadowy Hamas leader behind the war against Israel". NPR. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
10. Kingsley, Patrick; Barnes, Julian E.; Rasgon, Adam (12 May 2024). "Yahya Sinwar Helped Start the War in Gaza. Now He's Key to Its Endgame". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
11. Bergman, Ronen; Ragson, Adam; Kingsley, Patrick (12 October 2024). "Secret Documents Show Hamas Tried to Persuade Iran to Join Its Oct. 7 Attack". New York Times.
12. Crisp, James (12 October 2024). "Hamas wanted Iran to join in Oct 7 attack, secret minutes reveal". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
13. "Terrorist Designations of Yahya Sinwar, Rawhi Mushtaha, and Muhammed Deif". United States Department of State. 8 September 2015. Archived from the original on 21 January 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
14. Tucker, Eric (3 September 2024). "US charges Hamas leader, other militants in connection with Oct. 7 massacre in Israel". Associated Press. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
15. "US charges Hamas leaders over Oct. 7 attack on Israel". Reuters. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
16. "Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against Senior Leaders of Hamas". justice.gov. United States Department of Justice. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
17. Hallam, Lauren Izso, Vasco Cotovio, Jessie Gretener, Jonny (13 February 2024). "Israel releases video purportedly showing Hamas leader Sinwar in tunnel under Khan Younis". CNN.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
18. I24NEWS (26 August 2024). "Yahya Sinwar reportedly hiding in plain sight 'dressed as a woman'". Ynetnews. Retrieved 17 October 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
19. "Hamas names mastermind of Oct 7 attacks Yahya Sinwar as new political leader". France 24. 6 August 2024. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
20. ^ "'High likelihood' Hamas leader and Oct. 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar killed by troops in Gaza". Times of Israel. 17 October 2024.
21. Kampeas, Ron (17 October 2024). "Israel reportedly kills Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar".
22. "As speculation Sinwar killed grows, Gallant tweets: 'We will reach every terrorist and eliminate them' | The Times of Israel".
23. "'Somewhere in hell' he wishes he made a deal: Israel reacts to reports of Sinwar's death". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 17 October 2024.

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Political wing	List of leaders of Hamas Hamas government in the Gaza Strip Hamas temporary committee Islamic Salvation Party Khaled Mashal Ismail Haniyeh Yahya Sinwar Basem Naim Ali Baraka Mousa Abu Marzook Zaher Jabarin Essam al-Da'alis Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi hospital Women: Jamila Abdallah Taha al-Shanti Umm Nidal Elections 2005 presidential 2006 legislative
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• Current events from October 2024
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