'Mass murderer eliminated': Israel confirms Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's death in IDF operation

Representative image

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on October 17 confirmed the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who Israel has accused of masterminding the group's attack on October 7 last year.

“The mass murderer Yahya Sinwar, responsible for the massacre and atrocities of October 7th, was eliminated today by IDF (Israeli military) soldiers,” Katz said in a statement sent to media.

The Israeli army had said earlier on Thursday it is still unsure if the mastermind of the October 7 attack and wanted Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in its operation in the Gaza strip.

They said they are “checking” whether Sinwar was killed in the Israel military operation.

A brief military statement, which did not provide details of the specific operation, had said that during “operations in the Gaza Strip, three terrorists were eliminated”, and Israeli defence agencies “are checking the possibility that one of the terrorists was Yahya Sinwar. At this stage, the identity of the terrorists cannot be confirmed”.

In a post on X, the IDF had said: “During an activity by IDF fighters in the Gaza strip three terrorists were killed. The IDF and Shin Bet are investigating the possibility that one of the terrorists is Yahya Sinwar. At this stage the identity of the terrorists cannot be confirmed.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has directed the IDF to inform the families of the hostages that no hostages were harmed in the operation.

“In the building where the terrorists were eliminated, there were no signs of presence of hostages in the area. Forces operating in the area are continuing to operate with required caution,” the IDF clarified.

Notably, Sinwar reportedly used to surround himself with Israeli hostages to ensure his safety.

Also, one of Israel’s primary goals has been to kill Sinwar, who is believed to be the chief architect of the October 7 attacks that led to the massacre of 1200 people.

(With agency inputs)