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IDF is investigating whether Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in Gaza attack

Posted on by Vanessa
IDF is investigating whether Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in Gaza attack

Israeli media reported on Thursday that the likelihood that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in an attack in Gaza was “increasingly higher,” security officials said.

The IDF and Shin Bet (ISA) issued a joint statement early Thursday regarding the possible attack.

“Initial Report – Three terrorists were eliminated during IDF operations in the Gaza Strip. The IDF and ISA are investigating the possibility that one of the terrorists was Yahya Sinwar. At this time, the identity of the terrorists cannot be confirmed,” the IDF said.

“In the building where the terrorists were eliminated, there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the area. Forces operating in the area continue to act with due caution.”

Sky News Arabia published a report shortly afterwards quoting a security official as saying his death had been confirmed.

Sinwar orchestrated the October 7 massacre, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, including Israelis and people of other nationalities, and took over 250 people hostage, 101 of whom still live in the Gaza Strip.

Of the 101 hostages, the IDF confirmed that 48 were killed in captivity.

Sinwar was widely believed to have hidden in Hamas tunnels throughout the Gaza Strip, never staying in one place for too long and eschewing communications technologies and relying on messengers.

Human shields

The Hamas terror chief was believed to have been surrounded by the remaining hostages as a human shield, which reportedly prevented the IDF from attacking and killing him. The IDF reiterated in its statement that there were no signs of hostages at the site of the attack.

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There were conflicting reports as to whether Sinwar left the tunnels during the course of the Israel-Hamaw War, and the IDF obtained footage of the Hamas chief walking through the tunnels in February of this year.

Several Hamas leaders have been eliminated by Israel, including Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran in July, and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif, who was killed in the Gaza Strip in July.

This is a developing story.



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