The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) have confirmed that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed during an operation in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The IDF announced that its soldiers from the Southern Command eliminated Sinwar along with two other militants.

Sinwar was identified as a key figure responsible for the murder and abduction of many Israelis. According to the IDF, Sinwar had been in hiding within Hamas tunnels in Gaza, using civilians as cover. A series of military operations over the past year had restricted his movements, leading to his eventual elimination.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz hailed the operation as a significant military and moral achievement for Israel, expressing hope that Sinwar’s death could pave the way for the release of Israeli abductees and potentially reshape the situation in Gaza.

Sinwar had been a prominent figure within Hamas for many years. Born in 1962 in the Khan Younis refugee camp, he was arrested multiple times by Israeli authorities for various activities linked to Hamas. He was imprisoned for life in 1988 for his involvement in the kidnapping and murder of two Israeli soldiers and the killing of Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel. However, he was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange deal.

After his release, Sinwar quickly rose within Hamas ranks, leading the military wing and later becoming the head of Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza. He was re-elected for a second term in 2021. Sinwar is also believed to be the mastermind behind the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

His house has been targeted in multiple bombings, and he was known for maintaining a low profile, rarely making public appearances. Despite facing several assassination attempts, Sinwar remained a key figure within Hamas until his recent death.

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