One of the key Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar, the movement’s leader in Gaza since 2017, was killed by Israeli forces in southern Gaza, marking a pivotal moment in Israel’s war against Hamas.  Since 2017, Sinwar has led Hamas in Gaza; Israel, the U.S., and the U.K. branded him the mastermind behind the deadly attacks on Oct. 7 last year.  During those attacks, Hamas militants killed some 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages.

‘We will continue to pursue the terrorist and Hamas leaders,” Netanyahu said.  ‘This is not the end, and this is the beginning of the end of the war in Gaza that has already lasted over a year.’ It has been over a year, and the war is now close to its end.’The Israeli military confirmed that Sinwar was one of three militants killed in southern Gaza in the city of Rafah in a raid.  ‘No hostages were taken at the site, although earlier, it was reported that Sinwar used hostages for protection.  

Israeli soldiers claimed they saw three men, three gunmen who have been identified as including Sinwar-that were fleeing from building to building before they opened fire on them.  Sinwar was said to be found later in a building armed with weapons and large amounts of money.  His identity was verified by way of dental records and other genetic data retrieved from his time in Israeli prisons.

Netanyahu said in response, “Sinwar’s death has been celebrated with great jubilation, though he said the war is very much still on: “This would be a win in any war.  But I can tell you the people of Gaza, the people of Gaza, this is their chance to free themselves from Hamas if they disarm and account for the remaining hostages.” Netanyahu accused Sinwar of being responsible for the suffering of Gaza’s residents.

‘Sinwar’s death follows the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas’s former political leader, in Tehran earlier.  ‘The Israeli government had made Sinwar a prime target for assassination due to his leadership role in Hamas.  Sinwar was especially important since he founded Hamas’s internal security forces and planned attacks.  Sinwar was released from an Israeli prison in 2011 as part of a deal under which Israel released Gilad Shalit, its captive soldier.

Defense officials in Israel have hailed the death of Hamas military leader Mohammed Sinwar as a great military and moral achievement. ‘However, they warned that this war was far from over, with other Hamas leaders still at large and the group’s resistance continuing.  The group has yet to respond to Sinwar’s killing or name a successor officially.’

International reactions have been mixed, with U.S. ‘President Joe Biden saying this is a good day for Israel and for the world, but Iran’s government believes that Sinwar’s death will only increase the Palestinian people’s determination. 

Humanitarian concerns are still being sounded as thousands of Palestinians have been killed during clashes both among combatants and civilians.  ‘Families of the remaining hostages are asking Israel to take advantage of this opportunity to win their family members’ release.

The conflict is bound to continue as the death of Sinwar would not mean an end to the war because Israel will not stop pursuing the dismantling of Hamas and making sure its citizens are safe.

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