Yahya Sinwar, a 61-year-old leader of Hamas, was confirmed dead by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after a military operation in southern Gaza. Sinwar, widely believed to be the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, had been the target of a manhunt for over a year.
After evading capture for months, he was finally killed on October 18, 2024. He had been on the run since the attacks and was last seen in grainy footage three days after the assault, fleeing with his family into Gaza’s tunnel network, which Hamas uses to evade detection and hide from Israeli attacks.
Sinwar was a long-standing figure within Hamas, having been born in a refugee camp in Gaza and imprisoned by Israel for many years before rising to power in the organization.
His death has been compared to the killing of Osama bin Laden by experts, given his role in orchestrating a major attack that resulted in significant loss of life in Israel. Sinwar’s removal is seen as a blow to Hamas, although analysts believe it may not drastically alter the group’s overall trajectory, as Hamas remains rooted in its ideology.
Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Killed in IDF Operation, Marking Major Blow to the Organization
Sinwar’s militant career began after joining Hamas in 1987. He became known for his brutality, particularly in helping to establish Hamas’ intelligence service, Munazzamat al Jihad w’al-Dawa, which was tasked with identifying and eliminating Palestinian collaborators.
His role earned him the nickname “The Butcher of Khan Younis.” He was arrested by Israel in 1988 and sentenced to multiple life terms for various crimes, including the murder of Israeli soldiers and suspected collaborators. During his time in prison, Sinwar studied Israeli society and leadership, becoming deeply knowledgeable about his enemy.
Sinwar was released from prison in 2011 as part of a prisoner swap between Hamas and Israel for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, a move that was controversial in Israel. After his release, Sinwar became a prominent leader within Hamas, marrying and starting a family later in life.
His deep understanding of Israeli society, acquired during his years in prison, reportedly played a role in Hamas’ tactics during the October 2023 attacks, particularly in the abduction of Israeli hostages.
In 2017, Sinwar was elected as Hamas’ leader in Gaza, a position that gave him significant control over the group’s governance and military strategy. His leadership, marked by a hardline stance and ruthless tactics, helped shape Hamas’ policies and actions over the years.
Despite his death, experts note that Hamas’ overall mission and structure are unlikely to be fundamentally altered by his absence, though his loss represents a symbolic and strategic victory for Israel.
