Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the Gaza war, was killed on Thursday by Israeli forces, according to Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz. Katz described Sinwar’s death as a significant military and moral victory for Israel, calling it a success in the ongoing conflict and a blow to the axis of radical Islam led by Iran.
The Israeli army confirmed Sinwar’s identity through DNA testing, though Hamas has not yet commented on his death. In Israel, families of hostages held by Hamas expressed hope for a ceasefire, while Gaza residents anticipated the war would continue.
Sinwar, once a notorious prison leader who spent 22 years in Israeli detention for orchestrating the abduction and murder of Israeli soldiers, rose to become a key figure in Hamas. His death is seen as a major boost for Israel’s military efforts as the war enters its second year.
