Israel considers Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the 7 October attack, dead
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) today announced the elimination of three terrorists during operations in the Gaza Strip, and are investigating the possibility that one of them was Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader and mastermind of the 7 October attack.
Although there is still no definitive identification and official confirmation, the authorities describe the chances as ‘very high’, as one of the terrorists bears a strong resemblance to Sinwar, as can be seen from images of the body that have been circulated on the internet.
Israeli Soldiers surrounding the Body of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar, following its discovery earlier in Southern Gaza. pic.twitter.com/Lhh4eu2k79
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 17, 2024
‘During an operation in Gaza, three militants were killed. The army and the Shin Bet are investigating the possibility that one of them is Yahya Sinwar,’ the statement said, clarifying that there were no signs of hostages at the site where the terrorists were killed.
According to Ynet, large amounts of Israeli money and identification documents were found on the bodies, which were first examined by drone.
Sinwar, 61, was Israel's most wanted man during the war that began after the 7 October attack. In recent months it has been suggested that he may have been hiding in a tunnel in Gaza using the hostages as human shields.
In this regard, according to Israel's Channel 12, Sinwar had been hiding with the six hostages who were found lifeless in early September. The Israeli media speculates that this is the reason why the Hamas leader was not with any hostages when he was killed.
In the absence of official confirmation, defence minister Yoav Gallant posted a brief message on his social media, quoting a phrase from the Bible: ‘You shall pursue your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword‘. Leviticus 26:7. The post is accompanied by images of Mohammed Deif and Hassan Nasrallah - both removed - and another image of an X on a black background, an apparent reference to the possible assassination of Sinwar.
