Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed during a gunfight in southern Gaza on October 16, according to Israeli officials who initially did not realize they had eliminated their most wanted enemy.
Intelligence Efforts to Locate Sinwar
Israeli intelligence had been on the lookout for Yahya Sinwar for months, gradually narrowing down the areas where he could operate. On October 17, the military announced that dental records, fingerprints, and DNA testing had confirmed his death.
Confirmation and Release of Footage
Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, the international spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), confirmed Sinwar’s death and released raw footage showing the final moments of the Hamas leader. The military shared footage from a mini-drone that displayed Sinwar, who was severely wounded in the hand, sitting on a chair with a scarf covering his face. In the video, he was seen trying to throw a stick at the drone in a failed attempt to knock it down.
Raw footage of Yahya Sinwar’s last moments: pic.twitter.com/GJGDlu7bie
— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) October 17, 2024
Discovery of Sinwar’s Condition
At the time of the encounter, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari mentioned that Sinwar was initially identified only as a fighter. Upon entering the location, the troops discovered him armed with a weapon, wearing a flak jacket, and in possession of 40,000 shekels (approximately $10,731.63).