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This article documents a current military operation. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. Feel free to improve this article or discuss changes on the talk page, but please note that updates without valid and reliable references will be removed. (October 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Killing of Yahya Sinwar
Part of the Israel–Hamas war and Rafah offensive
Sinwar in 2011
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	16 October 2024
Executed by	Israel Defense Forces File:תג יחידה - חטיבה 828 - ביסמל"ח.svg 828th Bislamach Brigade
Casualties	3 militants killed (including Yahya Sinwar, per IDF)
RafahLocation within the Gaza Strip

On 17 October 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Hamas political leader Yahya Sinwar was killed the previous day in a gunfight with the 828th Bislamach Brigade in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, according to the IDF and Shin Bet. 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 militants. 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 7 October attack, was allegedly 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 Sinwar's killing there were no civilian casualties. 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 had 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 is thought to be, alongside Muhammad Deif, 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. By launching the attack, the deadliest day in Israel's history, Sinwar initiated the Israel–Hamas war—one of the deadliest conflicts in the Israeli-Palestinian struggle—triggering a military response that resulted in widespread destruction, casualties, and displacement to his homeland of Gaza. He has also drawn Iran and other members of the Axis of Resistance, including Hezbollah—whose capabilities have significantly diminished due to Israeli actions—along with the Houthi movement and Iraqi militias, into war with Israel. 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 6 August 2024, after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.

Killing

On 17 October 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 Hamas militants the previous day, killing three operatives. Following the incident, troops discovered a body that resembled Sinwar, wearing a tactical vest and holding an AK-47, while assessing the collapsed building where the exchange occurred. The shooting was carried out by conscript soldiers from Bislamach Brigade 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. Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, who also published photographs of the body, confirmed that Israel's forensic police unit made a full match with Sinwar's dental records. Israel Police said in a statement that the body matched Sinwar's dental records and fingerprints.

Reactions

Israel

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tweeted that "Israel is committed to eliminating terrorists wherever they are". He stated that the killing "sends a clear message to all the families of the fallen and the families of the hostages: we are doing everything in order to reach those who harmed your loved ones and to free the hostages and return them to their families", and added that it's "also a clear message to the residents of Gaza. The man who brought disaster and death to the Gaza Strip, the man who made you suffer as a result of his murderous actions – the end of this man has come. It is time to go out, release the hostages, raise your hands, surrender. Go out with the hostages, free them, and surrender."

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

United Kingdom

Defence Secretary John Healey stated that while the UK is still awaiting confirmation of Sinwar's death, he remarked, "I for one, will not mourn the death of a terror leader like Sinwar—someone who was responsible for the terror attack on October 7th." Healey added that he and the UK government recognize this attack "triggered not just the darkest, deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Second World War, but that it's triggered more than a year of conflict and an intolerable level of civilian Palestinian casualties."

NATO

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that Sinwar "is widely recognized as the architect of the Oct. 7th, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel. I have condemned them, all allies have condemned them. Every reasonable soul in the world has condemned them. So if he has died, I personally will not miss him."

References

1. "Arab media reports: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza - report". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 17 October 2024.
2. "Israeli military says Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar may have been killed in recent strike". CBC. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
3. "IDF investigates if Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was eliminated in gaza". www.israelhayom.com. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
4. "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.
5. ^ Nakhoul, Samia (17 October 2024). "Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader committed to eradicating Israel". Reuters.
6. "Yahya Sinwar: Radical Islamist ideologue utterly committed to Israel's destruction". Times of Israel. 17 October 2024.
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. Izso, Lauren; Cotovio, Vasco; Gretener, Jessie; Hallam, Jonny (13 February 2024). "Israel releases video purportedly showing Hamas leader Sinwar in tunnel under Khan Younis". CNN.
18. "Yahya Sinwar reportedly hiding in plain sight 'dressed as a woman'". I24NEWS. 26 August 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024 – via Ynetnews.
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. "How Hamas leader Sinwar was killed: an AK-47, a tactical vest, and who was with him - Türkiye Today". Retrieved 17 October 2024.
22. Tamari, Liran; Zitun, Yoav; Eichner, Itamar (17 October 2024). "Sinwar's body identified by dental records: Meet the soldiers who took him down". Ynetnews. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
23. Kampeas, Ron (17 October 2024). "Israel reportedly kills Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar".
24. Tamari, Liran; Zitun, Yoav; Eichner, Itamar (17 October 2024). "Sinwar's body identified by dental records: Meet the soldiers who took him down". Ynetnews. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
25. "Update from Aaron Boxerman". The New York Times. 17 October 2024.
26. "As speculation Sinwar killed grows, Gallant tweets: 'We will reach every terrorist and eliminate them' | The Times of Israel". The Times of Israel.
27. "Gallant calls on Hamas fighters to surrender, release hostages following Sinwar killing". Times of Israel. 17 October 2024.
28. "'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.
29. "Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza, Israel confirms". BBC News. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
30. "Middle East latest: Israel says Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is dead". ABC News. Retrieved 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
Law and order	Interior Minister of the Gaza Strip Ihab al-Ghussein Police Faiq Mabhouh Palestinian Executive Force [ar] Said Seyam Palestinian law Executions
Military wing	Palestinian Joint Operations Room Al-Qassam Brigades Nukbha Ayman Nofal al-Aqsa Flood Vanguards unit People Leader: Mohammed Deif Spokesperson: Abu Obaida Marwan Issa Yahya Ayyash Adnan al-Ghoul Salah Shehade Mazen Faqha Wa'el Nassar Ahmed Jabari Imad Abbas Emad Akel Nidal Farahat Yunis Al Astal Ahmed Ghandour Women Reem Riyashi Fatma Omar An-Najar Operations Murder of Yaron and Efrat Ungar Sbarro restaurant suicide bombing 2001 Immanuel bus attack 2004 Ashdod Port bombings IDF outpost bombing 2006 Gaza cross-border raid Gaza War (2008–2009) August 2010 West Bank shooting attack 2012 Gaza War 2014 Gaza War 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis 2023 attack on Israel Israel–Hamas war Weapons Al-Bana Batar Qassam rocket Yasin (RPG)
Social services	Islamic University of Gaza Mujama al-Islamiya Palestinian Authority Martyrs Fund
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Related articles	Criticism of Hamas Hamas war crimes Hamas most wanted playing cards
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