On October 17th, Israel confirmed that Yahya Sinwar, the top leader of Hamas, was killed by the Israeli military. Family members of the hostages held by Hamas expressed their hope for a quick reunion with their loved ones.
According to the Israeli military, Sinwar was killed in a battle in southern Gaza on Wednesday. Initially, the Israeli forces did not realize they had eliminated their country’s number one enemy until Sinwar’s death was confirmed through DNA analysis.
A drone video released by the Israeli military showed Sinwar inside a building destroyed by artillery. He was sitting alone in a chair covered in dust with his head wrapped in cloth.
Hamas has not yet officially commented on Sinwar’s death, but internal sources within the organization have indicated that signs point to his demise.
Sinwar was appointed as the top leader of Hamas after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran in July. Sinwar, aged 61, was the mastermind behind the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year and was also the number one terrorist wanted by the United States.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted Sinwar and five other top Hamas leaders for planning and carrying out the terror attack on Israel on October 7 last year.
After confirming Sinwar’s death, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation on television. He stated, “Today, we have settled the score with Sinwar. Evil has been struck, but our mission is not yet complete. This is a crucial moment in the war. We will continue to fight until your loved ones, who are also our loved ones, all return home.”
While the killing of Sinwar was seen as a significant achievement, families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas emphasized that their ordeal was not over as their loved ones remain captive.
Avi Marciano, father of Noa Marciano, an Israeli soldier who was captured and killed by Hamas during her captivity, expressed mixed feelings about Sinwar’s death. “That monster, that man who took her away from me, who is covered in the blood of our daughters, has finally entered the gates of hell,” he said. “It brings a bit of justice, but no comfort. Only when all my daughter’s friends return home will there be comfort.”
Leaders of Western countries have hailed Sinwar’s death as an opportunity to end the conflict with Hamas.
During his visit to Germany, U.S. President Joe Biden congratulated Netanyahu over the phone. Biden stated, “Today is a good day for the world… Sinwar’s hands were stained with the blood of many people – Americans, Israelis, and others.” He added that Sinwar’s death presented an opportunity to finally end the Gaza conflict and bring Israeli hostages back home.
The U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expressed hope for negotiations to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the release of the hostages. However, Sinwar had been obstinate in refusing negotiations in recent weeks.
After Sinwar’s death, Hezbollah in Lebanon claimed there would be an escalation in their confrontation with Israel.
The Israeli military announced that they had killed Hezbollah commander Muhammad Hassin Ramal in an airstrike in the southern Lebanese town of Tayibe. Israel had entered Lebanon on October 1 to conduct ground operations, amidst Iran launching massive airstrikes on Israel the same day. Currently, Israel is planning a response to Iran’s missile attack.
In a terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, over 1200 Israelis were killed, and more than 250 were taken hostage. This attack led to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
According to Gaza health authorities, over 42,000 Palestinians, including Hamas militants and civilians, lost their lives during the year-long Gaza war. Currently, at least 101 hostages are still held by Hamas in Gaza, with a third believed to have died.
(Reference: Reuters)