Israel has informed the U.S. that Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader behind the deadly October 7 attacks, is dead, according to Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
Katz described Sinwar as the mastermind of the massacre, crediting Israeli soldiers with his elimination.
He hailed the killing as both a military and moral victory for Israel, as well as a win for the broader international community in its fight against radical Islamist forces led by Iran.
“This marks a turning point. Sinwar’s death opens the door to the potential release of hostages and could reshape Gaza’s future—without Hamas and without Iran’s influence,” he said.
Earlier, Israel had been working to verify whether Sinwar had been killed.
A joint statement from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Israel Police noted that dental records had been sent to a forensics lab, with DNA testing ongoing to confirm the identification.
Sinwar had spent 22 years in Israeli custody, giving Israel access to comprehensive records for comparison.
Israeli authorities, including the IDF, police, and Shin Bet intelligence agency, remain actively involved in the confirmation process, with more information expected soon.
BBC Gaza Correspondent Rushdi Abualouf highlighted the significance of Sinwar’s death, calling it the biggest blow Hamas has faced so far.
Since his release from Israeli prison in 2013, Sinwar had ruled both the political and military arms of Hamas, appointing key figures within the organization and exercising control over its operations, especially in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sinwar’s death marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict.
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