Yahya Sinwar dead? Israel looks for evidence as Hamas chief goes 'missing'- Report

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar

Amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah after fresh wave of pager and walkie-talkie attacks on the latter's members, reports are doing rounds about Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's possible death. NDTV, citing multiple reports by Israeli news outlets like Haaretz, Maariv and Walla, and the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate suggest that Sinwar may have been eliminated in recent Israeli strikes in Gaza.

This comes as Sinwar has been incommunicado for a long time, suggesting his possible death.

However, there are no concrete proofs to support this claim. Meanwhile, the Shin Bet agency believes that Sinwar is still alive.

The report, further quoting the Times of Israel stated that the Hamas chief has a history of going missing and reemerging. He reemerges to deliver messages related to the ceasefire negotiations or other issues.

Security officials, quoted by multiple outlets, stated that claims of Sinwar’s death were speculative and lacked concrete evidence.

According to The Times Of Israel, some reports quoted sources stating that the elusive Hamas chief, who has been hiding in tunnels in Gaza since Hamas's October 7 attack, has a history of going off the radar before reemerging to deliver messages related to the ceasefire negotiations or other issues.

Israeli news outlet Haaretz, citing sources, reported that Israel has bombed tunnels in areas where Yahya Sinwar was believed to be hiding, but there is no definitive evidence that he was injured or killed. Sinwar may be intentionally keeping a low profile. The military’s response to questions was brief: “We have no information confirming or refuting the matter.”

It is worth noting that Yahya Sinwar is believed to be the man who orchestrated the October 7 attack on Israel. Both Hamas and Israel have been engaged in deadly battle ever since with Israel killing key figures of Hamas including its former leader.