Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar has been killed in Rafah, southern Gaza, during a chance encounter with Israeli forces. Sinwar, dressed in combat gear, was found dead in the rubble after a tank shell struck the building. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the military success but emphasized that the war is not yet over. While Hamas has not officially confirmed Sinwar’s death, he was considered a key figure behind the October 7 attacks on Israel.
Sinwar, aged 61 and known as Abu Ibrahim, became the head of Hamas’ political bureau after Ismail Haniyeh was killed in July this year. This follows Israel’s earlier killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah through airstrikes in Lebanon.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the U.S. will step up efforts to end the Gaza war in light of Sinwar’s apparent death. Blinken also referenced Sinwar’s previous refusal to resolve the conflict diplomatically. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli PM Netanyahu discussed working together to secure the release of hostages.
