Israel reports it has killed the Hamas leader believed to have orchestrated the October 7 attacks. Here's what we know so far.
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Over a year after Hamas’ deadly October 7 attacks on Israel, the Israeli military announced on Thursday that it had killed the man they believe masterminded the cross-border assault, raising questions about the future of the war and Hamas, which has suffered multiple setbacks in recent months.
The death of Yahya Sinwar, a top Hamas leader, could create a rare opportunity for a ceasefire, according to U.S. officials. Israel had also killed several other senior Hamas figures, including Ismail Haniyeh, the group's former political leader, along with Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are part of a broader network of militant groups supported by Iran.
In a video message Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sinwar’s death marked “the beginning of the day after Hamas,” but emphasized that “the task before us is not yet complete.” Hamas has yet to respond to the reports of Sinwar’s death.
What happened?
Since the October 7 attacks, Israel had focused significant resources on tracking down Sinwar, declaring him Gaza’s most-wanted man. The hunt culminated on Wednesday in Rafah, southern Gaza. During a routine military operation, Israeli forces were fired upon near a building. They returned fire with a tank and later flewa drone into the structure, discovering Sinwar inside. The military released a video showing Sinwar in his final moments, sitting in a chair amid rubble, appearing to confront the drone before the video ended. After inspecting the site, Israeli forces confirmed Sinwar's identity using dental records and biometrics.
Sinwar had reportedly been attempting to escape northward and was found carrying a gun and over $10,000 in Israeli currency.
Who was Sinwar?
Yahya Sinwar had been a key figure in Hamas since the 1980s, rising through the ranks after his family was displaced from their Palestinian village during the Arab-Israeli war. Imprisoned for orchestrating murders, he spent 23 years in an Israeli prison before being released in a 2011 prisoner swap. After his release, Sinwar founded Hamas' intelligence security branch and was known for his ruthless actions against suspected collaborators.
In 2017, Sinwar was elected as Hamas’ political leader in Gaza and designated a global terrorist by the U.S. and EU. He gained greater prominence after the October 7 attacks, becoming a prime Israeli target. He had not been seen since those attacks, likely hiding in Hamas' tunnel network.
His role on October 7
Israel accused Sinwar of orchestrating the October 7 attack, which killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw more than 250 taken hostage. Sinwar was a key decision-maker in Gaza during the negotiations for the hostages' release, involving figures from Israel, Hamas, the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt.
What comes next?
Sinwar’s death is another significant blow to Hamas, following the recent assassinations of top leaders like Ismail Haniyeh and Mohammed Deif. With Sinwar gone, U.S. officials speculate that there may now be a greater chance of resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict, but it remains unclear how Hamas will respond.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to spread beyond Gaza. Hezbollah in Lebanon has ramped up its activity, and tensions with Iran also remain high following a missile attack on Israel earlier this month. Despite these developments, many Palestinians believe that Sinwar’s death will not bring an end to the war, though some express cautious hope for peace.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed the situation on Thursday, agreeing to work together to advance the release of hostages, but the fate of Sinwar’s brother, who recently took command of Hamas' military, remains unknown.
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