Israeli Foreign Minister, Israel Katz has announced that the Israeli army has killed Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar in Gaza.

He called it a significant “military and moral achievement” for Israel and a victory for the entire “free world against the axis of evil of radical Islam led by Iran.”

“The elimination of Sinwar opens the possibility for the immediate release of the hostages and paves the way for a change that will lead to a new reality in Gaza – without Hamas and without Iranian control.”
Israel Katz

A joint statement from the spokespeople for the Israeli army and domestic security agency Shin Bet claimed that Sinwar was killed on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, night, during an operation in the southern Gaza Strip.

According to the statement, a force of the 828th Brigade, which operated in the area, identified and eliminated “three terrorists.” “After completing the process of identifying the body, it can now be confirmed that [Sinwar] was eliminated”, the statement read.

It said that Sinwar planned and executed the 7 October attack and was “responsible for the murder and abduction of many Israelis.”

It added that Yahya Sinwar was eliminated after “hiding for the past year behind the civilian population of Gaza, both above and below ground in Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip.”

Benny Gantz, Chairman of Israel’s National Unity Party, congratulated the Israeli military following the claim that Sinwar has been killed. “This is an important achievement with a clear message – we will pursue our enemies to the end, anytime and anywhere,” he wrote on X.

He said that the Israeli military will continue to operate in the Gaza Strip for years to come, and “now the series of achievements and the elimination of Sinwar must be taken advantage of” to bring about the return of the abductees and the replacement of Hamas’s rule.”

Also, Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog commended Israeli forces for killing the Hamas leader, saying Yahya Sinwar was “responsible for heinous acts of terrorism against Israeli civilians, citizens of other countries, and the murder of thousands of innocent people.”

“His evil endeavours were dedicated to terror, bloodshed, and destabilizing the Middle East.

“Now, more than ever, we must act in every way possible to bring back the 101 hostages who are still being held in horrific conditions by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.”
Isaac Herzog

Sinwar’s Killing Unlikely To Change Captives’ Fate

Meanwhile, Gideon Levy, an Israeli political analyst and Haaretz columnist, opined that the claimed killing of Sinwar is unlikely to change the fate of the more than 100 captives still held in Gaza because the government’s priority is to remain in the Strip.

He noted that in a normal situation, he would expect the killing of Sinwar to make us do big progress towards releasing the hostages and even putting an end to this war – but not in Israel “because the aim is to stay in Gaza.”

“So what will the killing of Sinwar change? And if the release of hostages is on the table again, with whom will we renegotiate? And if we negotiate, who will agree to return all the hostages when Israel aims to stay in Gaza?

“And no doubt about this, Israel has the full intention to stay in Gaza, at least for the coming months or, God forbid, even coming years.”
Gideon Levy

Yair Lapid also said on X that Israel’s political leadership should push hard for a “comprehensive” deal to return captives still held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas and other groups.

In a statement on X, the opposition leader said that Israel should “take advantage of the opportunity” of the potential killing of Hamas leader, Yahyah Sinwar.

Lapid said that Israel should also offer monetary rewards and safe passage to anyone who brings [captives] to our forces.