Hamas has confirmed the death of its leader, Yahya Sinwar, following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, reversing earlier claims that his death was “fake news.” This airstrike is part of Israel’s ongoing military campaign amid escalating tensions in the region.
In its announcement, Hamas praised Sinwar as a “heroic martyr” who confronted Israeli forces on the battlefield. The group stressed that hostages taken from Israel during the conflict will not be released until there is a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Khalil al-Hayya, Sinwar’s deputy, declared: “Those prisoners will not return to you before the end of the aggression on Gaza and the withdrawal from Gaza.”
The airstrike that resulted in Sinwar’s death was reported to have occurred during what appeared to be a chance encounter with Israeli troops. The Israeli military circulated a video purportedly showing Sinwar in his final moments, wounded and covered in dust, as he attempted to resist an approaching drone.
Sinwar’s death may change the dynamics of the ongoing conflict in Gaza as Israel continues to launch offensives against Hamas and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has been actively firing rockets at Israel since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.
Israel views the elimination of Sinwar as a crucial military objective, part of its broader strategy to politically dismantle Hamas in Gaza. Photos from the scene showed a body similar to Sinwar’s, indicating he suffered a serious head injury.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Sinwar’s murder and stated that the military campaign against Hamas is not over. This development has raised hopes among both Israeli officials and Gaza residents for a possible de-escalation of the conflict.
The families of the hostages still held in Gaza have called on the Israeli government to use Sinwar’s death as leverage to renew negotiations for his release. Approximately 100 hostages remain and, according to Israeli sources, at least 30 have been confirmed dead.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations commemorated Sinwar and stated that he died honorably in battle. The statement contrasted Sinwar’s death with that of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, highlighting Sinwar’s position as a resistance figure.
As the situation develops, Hezbollah has announced the deployment of new precision-guided missiles and explosive drones in its operations against Israel. His recent statements indicated a shift toward more aggressive tactics, including missile strikes deep inside Israeli territory.
In response to continued threats from both Hezbollah and militant groups in Gaza, the Israeli military has bolstered its forces, activating additional reserve brigades to counter incursions and prepare for potential escalations.
Since the conflict broke out on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, the violence has led to more than 42,000 Palestinian deaths, widespread destruction in Gaza, and a humanitarian crisis affecting approximately 90% of its 2.3 million people. of residents. The international community continues to watch closely, hoping for a solution to this protracted conflict.
(AP Contributions)
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