Israeli forces have confirmed the death of Yahya Sinwar, a prominent Hamas leader, after an intense manhunt lasting over a year. Sinwar was tracked by a mini drone operated by Israeli troops as he took cover in the ruins of a building in southern Gaza. In a video released by Israeli authorities, Sinwar, covered in dust and slumped in a chair, was seen throwing a stick at the drone in a final act of defiance.

The Israeli military revealed that Sinwar was discovered during an operation by infantry soldiers from the Bislach Brigade on Wednesday. The soldiers were searching the Tal El Sultan area, where they believed senior Hamas members were hiding. During the search, the troops encountered three suspected militants, leading to a gunfight. Sinwar escaped into a damaged building, where Israeli forces eventually located him.

The military released footage from the drone showing Sinwar wounded, his face covered with a scarf, attempting to knock the drone down. Despite the chaotic circumstances, Sinwar was identified as a fighter carrying a weapon, a flak jacket, and 40,000 shekels in cash. "He tried to escape, and our forces eliminated him," an Israeli military spokesperson said during a televised briefing.

While Hamas has not made an official statement, sources within the group indicated they believe Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces. Israeli intelligence services had been tightening their surveillance on Sinwar over the past year, limiting his ability to move freely.

Sinwar, known as the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, had stopped using communication devices in an effort to evade capture. Israeli officials believed he was hiding in the network of tunnels Hamas built beneath Gaza, but even these tunnels proved insufficient to shield him from Israeli forces.

The head of Israel’s military, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, stated that the relentless pursuit drove Sinwar to move frequently, acting like a fugitive. Despite earlier concerns that Sinwar might use hostages as human shields, no hostages were found near him when he was finally captured and killed.

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