According to Reuters, on October 17, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced the elimination of leader Yahya Sinwar - the mastermind of the brutal massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023 that killed 1,200 civilians.
The Israeli military said Yahya Sinwar was one of three Hamas members killed in a ground attack in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, but did not specify when it happened.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz said this was a great achievement for the Israeli army and a victory for the whole world in the fight against Iran-backed militants.
“The killing of Sinwar will create an opportunity for the immediate release of the hostages and bring about change leading to a new reality for Gaza – without Hamas and without Iranian control,” Mr. Katz added.
Before concluding on Sinwar’s fate, the Israel Defense Forces and police used DNA tests and dental scans from a Hamas body recovered after an attack in Gaza to identify him. They said it was likely the Hamas leader, although results were not yet available.
Hamas has yet to comment on this.
The killing of Yahya Sinwar has raised hopes among Israeli families with relatives held hostage by Hamas in Gaza that a new ceasefire will be agreed. However, people in Gaza still feel that the war is far from over.
However, Sinwar's death could also increase tensions in the Middle East - where there is always the risk of a regional war between many sides.
Yahya Sinwar has long been considered one of the key strategists and began leading Hamas in Gaza in 2017. Sinwar took over as Hamas leader on August 6 after former leader Haniyeh was assassinated by Israel in Tehran, Iran, in late July.
