Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who played a crucial role in orchestrating the group’s cross-border attacks in 2023, was confirmed killed in combat by Khalil Al-Hayya, the deputy chief of Hamas in Gaza and the group’s chief negotiator, on Friday.
Sinwar’s death marks a significant setback for Hamas, which has endured continuous airstrikes since its assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people, according to Israeli sources. His leadership has been linked to the hostage crisis involving about 250 individuals taken back to Gaza, posing a challenge for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration, which is committed to dismantling Hamas.
Known for his harsh stance against Palestinians who collaborated with Israel, Sinwar was seen as a formidable adversary to the country that imprisoned him for many years. He became Hamas’ paramount leader on August 6, succeeding former political chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran on July 31.
Sinwar, 62, born in a refugee camp in Khan Younis, Gaza, was elected Hamas’ leader in 2017. His reputation as the mastermind behind the October 7 attack, which marked one of the most catastrophic events for Israel in decades, kept him in Gaza despite multiple Israeli attempts to eliminate him.
In a statement today, Hamas declared that it would not release hostages until Israel ceases its military actions in Gaza, withdraws its forces, and releases Palestinian prisoners. Khalil Al-Hayya stated, “The hostages will not return… unless the aggression against our people in Gaza stops, there is a complete withdrawal from it, and our heroic prisoners are released from the occupation’s prisons,” as reported by news agency AFP.
