Israeli forces have killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a key figure behind last year’s attack on Israel, in a recent battle in Rafah, AP News reports.
Sinwar was reportedly found by Israeli troops during a military operation targeting Hamas militants. Three militants were killed, including Sinwar, who was confirmed through dental records and DNA tests. Israel has extensive medical records of Sinwar after his improvement between the 1980s and 2011, and during the time he underwent treatment for brain cancer.
Israeli leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, celebrated Sinwar’s death as a significant victory and a step towards dismantling Hamas. Netanyahu stated that this marked a turning point, urging Hamas to surrender and release the remaining hostages still held in Gaza. US officials expressed hope that this will lead to a cease-fire as the ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, including over 42,000 Palestinians.
Sinwar’s death is seen as a significant blow to Hamas, as he was one of Israel’s most-wanted figures due to his role in orchestrating the attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis and led to the abduction of 250 others. However, experts note that Hamas has shown resilience in past leadership losses, and Israel plans to continue military operations until all hostages are released and Hamas is unable to regroup.
