Israeli troops have been hunting for more than a year for the Hamas leader, who disappeared in Gaza shortly after planning the October 7 attacks.
Yahya Sinwar, 61, is said to be hiding in tunnels under the Strip with a “human shield” of bodyguards and hostages captured in Israel.
But it seems A chance encounter with an Israeli patrol in southern Gaza changed the course of things. His bodyguard is known to be small and no hostages have been found with him.
Many details are unknown, but this is what is known so far about Shinwar’s death, which was confirmed this Friday by Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s vice president in Gaza and the organization’s main negotiator.
In a speech released on video, al-Hayya pledged that Hamas would continue on its path to fulfill the aspirations of the Palestinian people and not release the kidnapped Israelis until Israel ends its military operation and fully withdraws from Gaza.
Regular patrol
The Israeli army says a unit of its 828th Bislamach Brigade was on patrol Wednesday in Tal al-Sultan, part of Rafah, when it spotted three militants running from house to house and attacked them. They were all removed.
The man identified as Sinwar “ran alone towards one of the buildings”. and was killed after being discovered by a drone.
however, At the time of the shooting, the identity of the Israeli forces was unknown Not from any of them. And the soldiers did not return to the scene till Thursday morning.
When the bodies were examined, it was revealed that there was a body of a person Very similar to the Hamas leader.
However, the body remained at the scene as it was suspected to have been caught in a booby-trapped mine, and instead part of a finger was removed and sent to Israel for examination.
Eventually, when the area was safe, his body was flown to Israel.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said his forces “They don’t know it’s there.”
Chinwar’s body is a A bulletproof vest, a gun and about US$11,000 (40,000 shekels).
There are no hostages Sinwar is said to have used as human shields, and his small entourage suggests he is either trying to move undetected or has lost many of his protectors.
Hagari said The Army got clues about Chinwar’s movements when his DNA was found In a tunnel near where the bodies of six hostages were recovered six weeks ago.
Israel seeks Now to Sinwar’s brother Mohammad SinwarAnd all Hamas military commanders, Hagari said.
Images of a drone
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Galant said, “Shinwar died as a fugitive, not as a commander, but only concerned about himself. A clear message to all our enemies.”
Drone footage released by the Israeli military late Thursday shows Sinwar’s final moments before his death
Apparently there was a video Recorded from a drone flying through an open window of a building practically destroyed.
The drone approaches a man sitting on a chair on the first floor of a house with his head covered full of ruins.
Man, who Looks injured and throws a stick The drone and the video ends.
Israel announced for the first time Thursday afternoon that it was investigating the possibility that Sinwar was killed in Gaza.
Minutes after the announcement, pictures posted on social networks showed the body of a man with features similar to that of the Hamas leader. He suffered a severe head injury. The pictures are too graphic to publish.
However, officials cautioned that the identity of any of the three dead could not be confirmed “at this stage”.
After some time, Israeli sources told the BBC that leaders were “increasingly certain” that he had been killed. However, they said all necessary tests should be carried out before the death can be confirmed.
Those tests didn’t take long. On Thursday night, Israel announced they were over Sinwar confirmed that he had been “eliminated”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the “evil” had been dealt a “blow” but warned that the Israeli war in Gaza was far from over.
Although Chinwar He did not die during the selected operationIsrael’s armed forces said they had been operating for weeks in areas where intelligence had indicated the Hamas leader’s possible presence.
Thus, Israeli forces were able to determine Sinwar’s approximate location around the southern city of Rafah, and slowly advanced to capture him.
Sinwar was absconding for over a year. He no doubt felt increasing Israeli pressure as other Hamas leaders such as Mohammed Taif and Ismail Haniyeh were killed, and as Israel destroyed the infrastructure they used to carry out the October 7 attacks.
In a statement, the Israeli military described its actions in recent weeks in the south “Yahya controlled the operational movement of SinwarIt was harassed by the forces and led to its removal.”
Killing Sinwar was an important goal for Israel, but the result The war in Gaza has not stopped.
On Friday, Bassam Naim, a member of Hamas’ political office, said in a statement, “Israel believes that. Killing our leaders is the end of our movement and the struggle of the Palestinian people“, but said that Hamas as a movement cannot be eradicated.
Naim did not directly name Sinwar or confirm his death, but said it was “extremely painful and painful to lose loved ones”.
Even if Netanyahu said “Set scores”, he insisted, would continue the warSpecifically to rescue the 101 hostages held by Hamas.
To the dear families of the hostages I say: This is a crucial moment in the war. Let’s continue with full force As long as their loved ones, our loved ones, are all home.”
In Israel, the hostages’ families said they hoped it might now Reach a ceasefire that brings the hostages home.
Subscribe here To our new newsletter every Friday for a selection of the week’s best content.
Remember that you can receive notifications on our app. Download the latest version and activate them.
“Introvert. Thinker. Problem solver. Evil beer specialist. Prone to fits of apathy. Social media expert. Award-winning food fanatic.”
More Stories
Two influencers drown after refusing to wear life jackets: “ruining selfies”
Uruguay 2024 election results: who won and when is the second round | Waiting to know whether there will be a runoff or not
Uruguay: Lacalle Pou leaves with his figure on the slopes | The Marcet and Asteziano scandals hit the right-wing ruler