Killing of Yahya Sinwar

On 17 October 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Hamas militant and de facto leader Yahya Sinwar was killed the previous day in a gunfight with the 828th Bislamach Brigade in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, according to the IDF and Shin Bet. Tank shells were fired at a booby-trapped building and a drone equipped with a camera was brought in to ensure that it was empty of militants. Israel's Army Radio stated that DNA tests were being conducted to determine if Sinwar was killed. Israel Police said in a statement that the body matched Sinwar's dental records and fingerprints. Sinwar, who was one of Israel's most wanted men after the 7 October attack, was allegedly in a building with two others. The military operation was described as random and not planned in advance. The investigators who had interrogated Sinwar during his previous captivity as well as a dentist were called in to identify the body, which was transferred to Israel.

Killing of Yahya Sinwar
Part of the Israel–Hamas war and Rafah offensive
Type	Shootout
Location	Tel al-Sultan, Rafah, Gaza Strip 31°17′19″N 34°15′7″E
Date	16 October 2024
Executed by	Israel Defense Forces 828th Bislamach Brigade
Casualties	Hamas: 3 militants killed (including Yahya Sinwar, per Israel)
Rafah Location within the Gaza Strip

At the time of Sinwar's killing, there were no civilian casualties. In a joint statement from the IDF and Shin Bet spokespersons, it was stated: "there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the area."

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Sinwar's death marks the beginning of a new era without Hamas's rule over Gaza, urging Gazans to seize the opportunity to break free from its tyranny, and adding that those holding hostages will be spared if they surrender and release them. US President Joe Biden stated "This is a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world," comparing Sinwar's death to the killing of Osama bin Laden and emphasizing that it presents an opportunity for a "day after" in Gaza without Hamas.

Background

Yahya Sinwar had served as Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip since February 2017. His leadership was characterized by a focus on military strengthening and alliances with Iran and Hezbollah. Committed to the destruction of Israel, he is thought to be, alongside Mohammed Deif, one of the main architects of the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023. The group, under his leadership, had been planning this assault for two years prior to its execution. By launching the attack, the deadliest day in Israel's history, Sinwar initiated the Israel–Hamas war—one of the deadliest conflicts in the Israeli-Palestinian struggle—triggering a military response that resulted in widespread destruction, casualties, and displacement to his homeland of Gaza. He has also drawn Iran and other members of the Axis of Resistance, including Hezbollah—whose capabilities have significantly diminished due to Israeli actions—along with the Houthi movement and Iraqi militias, into war with Israel. In September 2015, Sinwar was designated a terrorist by the United States government.

In February 2024, a video was published of Sinwar moving in a tunnel with his family. There was also speculation in August that he would emerge above ground in a woman's cloak. The International Criminal Court (ICC) was scheduled to issue a war crimes indictment against Sinwar, as announced in May. Sinwar was chosen as head of the movement's political bureau on 6 August 2024 after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. The following month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced criminal charges against Sinwar.

Israel was reportedly aware for months that Sinwar was hiding in the Tel As-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah, although his precise location remained unknown. On 31 August, six hostages were murdered in the vicinity of the building that Sinwar was killed in. He had reportedly been in the same tunnel with them.

Killing

On 17 October 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported a "high likelihood" that Sinwar was killed in Rafah. The IDF had engaged in a firefight with a group of Hamas militants the previous day, killing three operatives. The shootout was carried out by conscript soldiers from Bislamach Brigade who did not know who they were fighting, according to Kan. There were no hostages nearby. According to an IDF spokesperson, Sinwar had been in a damaged building and was shot in the hand before a tank fired at the structure the previous day, resulting in his death.

Order of events

On 16 October 2024, at approximately 10 am, IDF troops noticed suspiscious figures entering and exiting a building in their vicinity, after which an order was given to engage. At 3 pm an IDF drone detected three indviduals exiting the building, two covered in blankets and clearing the path for a third. The soldiers opened fire and the group scattered, two entering one building and the third, later proven to be Sinwar, entering another building and climbing to the second floor. An IDF soldier was severely injured in the firefight which ensued. A tank then fired a shell at Sinwar's location, and infantry soldiers began to sweep the building when two grenades were thrown at them, one exploded and one did not. The troops then pulled back and sent in a drone which detected an injured figure with a covered face attempting to knock the drone out of the air with a stick. Sinwar was finally killed when part of the building collapsed on top of him.

Following the incident, troops discovered a body that resembled Sinwar, wearing a tactical vest and holding an AK-47, while assessing the collapsed building where the exchange occurred. Additional items found on his person included 40,000 NIS in cash, a lighter and an UNRWA employee ID. It is reported that the three bodies were found carrying cash, weapons and fake IDs.

Following this, Israeli officials informed the security cabinet of Sinwar's likely death. IDF forces were not specifically targeting Sinwar during the operation, and they did not anticipate his presence in the area.

Initial reports indicated that DNA, dental, and fingerprint tests would be conducted for formal identification, as the IDF holds Sinwar's records from his time in prison. Photos circulated on social media purportedly showing the body believed to be Sinwar with wounds to the head and a leg. According to The New York Times, the photos matched archival footage of Sinwar including crooked teeth and distinctive moles.

Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, which also published photographs of the body, confirmed that Israel's forensic police unit made a full match with Sinwar's dental records. Israel Police said in a statement that the body matched Sinwar's dental records and fingerprints.

Analysis

"Pro-Israel analysts", including the CEO of Israel Policy Forum David Halperin and the president of J Street Jeremy Ben Ami predicted that Sinwar's killing was an opportunity to return the hostages and de-escalate the situation. Gershon Baskin, who helped negotiate the 2011 Shalit deal, said a full hostage deal could take 3–4 days.

Israeli reactions

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tweeted that "Israel is committed to eliminating terrorists wherever they are". He stated that the killing "sends a clear message to all the families of the fallen and the families of the hostages: we are doing everything in order to reach those who harmed your loved ones and to free the hostages and return them to their families", and added that it was "also a clear message to the residents of Gaza. The man who brought disaster and death to the Gaza Strip, the man who made you suffer as a result of his murderous actions – the end of this man has come. It is time to go out, release the hostages, [to those involved in fighting] raise your hands, surrender. Go out with the hostages, free them, and surrender."

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the government must seize the opportunity to act decisively regarding the hostages.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Sinwar's death as "the beginning of the day after Hamas," vowing that the group will no longer rule Gaza. He addressed Gazans, emphasizing it as an opportunity for them "to finally break free from its tyranny." Netanyahu warned Hamas militants that their leaders are fleeing and will be eliminated, stating that those who release hostages will be spared, but severe consequences await anyone who harms them. He highlighted that Sinwar's death underscores the importance of Israel's continued efforts, particularly the operation in Rafah, where key Hamas leaders had been hiding, and emphasized the opportunity to stop the "axis of evil" and build a better future.

The value of the Israeli currency surged following the killing of Sinwar.

Families of hostages have expressed concerns following Sinwar's death.

International reactions

Iran

The state news media of Iran described Sinwar's death as "martyrdom" and praised him for dying in the struggle against Israel in Gaza. Hossein Kazeruni, a hard-line cleric, said on X that Mr. Sinwar died fighting Israel's military "like a man, weapon in hand, wrapped in kaffiyeh, chest out".

NATO

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that Sinwar "is widely recognized as the architect of the Oct. 7th, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel. I have condemned them, all allies have condemned them. Every reasonable soul in the world has condemned them. So if he has died, I personally will not miss him."

United Kingdom

Defence Secretary John Healey stated that while the UK is still awaiting confirmation of Sinwar's death, he remarked, "I for one, will not mourn the death of a terror leader like Sinwar—someone who was responsible for the terror attack on October 7th." Healey added that he and the UK government recognize this attack "triggered not just the darkest, deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Second World War, but that it's triggered more than a year of conflict and an intolerable level of civilian Palestinian casualties."

United States

US President Joe Biden issued a press statement, declaring, "This is a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world", and noting that "as the leader of the terrorist group Hamas, Sinwar was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Israelis, Palestinians, Americans, and citizens from over 30 countries." Biden praised the Israeli military for their pursuit of Hamas leaders, comparing the operation to the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden. He emphasized that Israel has the right to dismantle Hamas, highlighting that the group can no longer carry out attacks like the one on 7 October. Biden stated that Sinwar's death removed "an insurmountable obstacle", creating hope for a future without Hamas in Gaza and opening the door for a political settlement that benefits both Israelis and Palestinians.

Western Europe

Representatives from four Western European countries, namely French president Emmanuel Macron, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni and foreign minister Antonio Tajani and British defence secretary John Healey praised Israel's actions, with Macron and Baerbock demanding Hamas release its hostages while Meloni and Tajani added demands for a ceasefire to their hostage release urgings. Healey called for an end to the war as well, noting that the war has been responsible for "an intolerable level of Palestinian casualties".

External links

• Atlantic Council experts (17 October 2024). "Experts react: Yahya Sinwar is dead. Here's what's next for Hamas, Gaza, Israel, and the Middle East". New Atlanticist. Atlantic Council.