Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the terrorist group Hamas and a key figure behind the October 7 attack, was reported killed on Thursday during an Israeli military operation in Gaza, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The IDF confirmed Sinwar’s elimination via a post on X shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday, following initial reports from NewsNation. A statement from the IDF and Shin Bet outlined details of the operation, noting that Sinwar had been hiding among the civilian population and within Hamas tunnels in Gaza.
For over a year, Sinwar evaded capture while orchestrating Hamas operations from beneath the surface, as Israeli forces intensified efforts to locate him. U.S. officials have described him as a “messianic psychopath,” and he earned the nickname “Butcher of Khan Yunis” due to his violent past.
Sinwar viewed the casualties of the ongoing conflict as “necessary sacrifices” toward his goal of eliminating Israel. He had openly expressed that a victory for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu would be more damaging than a defeat.
His death is seen as a significant achievement for the IDF, following a series of operations targeting senior leaders within Hamas and Hezbollah. While the full impact of Sinwar’s removal remains uncertain, it represents a major blow to Hamas and could influence future military strategies and hostage negotiations.
