‘Mass murderer’ and ‘Oct 7 attacks architect’ Yahya Sinwar killed by IDF, confirms Israel

Tel Aviv, Israel

Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, on Thursday (Oct 17) confirmed that Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar was killed in an Israeli operation in Gaza. Katz issued the confirmation in a message to dozens of foreign ministers around the world. 

Sinwar was killed alongside two other Hamas militants by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducting an operation in one of the buildings in Gaza.

“The mass murderer Yahya Sinwar, who is responsible for the massacre and atrocities of October 7, was killed today by IDF soldiers,” said Katz in the message, according to his office.

“This is a great military and moral achievement for Israel and a victory for the entire free world against the evil axis of radical Islam led by Iran,” he added. 

Katz added that the killing “creates a possibility” for getting the hostages out immediately and for creating a Gaza free of Hamas and Iranian control.

“Israel needs your support and assistance now more than ever to advance these important goals together,” the minister added.

The IDF followed suit and posted a three-word message to confirm Sinwar's death. 

"Eliminated: Yahya Sinwar," wrote IDF.  

According to the joint statement by the IDF and Shin Bet, over the last few weeks, the 162nd Division and Gaza Division had been operating in Gaza in areas where intelligence indicated that senior Hamas officials were hiding.

A force from the 828th Bislamach Brigade killed three terrorists, and one of them was identified today as Sinwar.

"A year ago, on the holiday of Sukkot, Yahya Sinwar orchestrated the horrific October 7th Massacre in which more than 1,200 Israeli men, women and children were butchered.  Today, one year later, he was eliminated by Israeli forces," wrote the official state handle of Israel. 

"Justice has been delivered. Every single terrorist who harms Israelis will pay the price," it added. 

The IDF released a statement saying, "Yahya Sinwar was eliminated after hiding for the past year behind the civilian population of Gaza, both above and below ground in Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip." 

Israel's President Isaac Herzog commended Israeli forces for killing the Hamas chief, saying Sinwar was "responsible for heinous acts of terrorism against Israeli civilians, citizens of other countries, and the murder of thousands of innocent people".

"His evil endeavours were dedicated to terror, bloodshed, and destabilizing the Middle East.

"Now, more than ever, we must act in every way possible to bring back the 101 hostages who are still being held in horrific conditions by Hamas terrorists in Gaza," he said in a post on X.

IDF will continue to operate in Gaza

National Unity chief and former war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said Sinwar's death was an "important achievement" but it did not signal the end of the war. He added that the IDF “will continue to operate in the Gaza Strip for years to come”. 

“On this day, we must also remember the painful price of the war — all the murdered and the fallen who have been working for over a year on all fronts to ensure this never happens again," he added. 

Who is Sinwar?

Born in Khan Younis in 1962, Sinwar was seen as one of the uncompromising top officials of the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. In the early 1980s, Sinwar was repeatedly arrested by Israel because of his involvement in anti-occupation activism held at the Islamic University in Gaza.

Alongside now-killed Mohammed Deif, the head of Qassam Brigades, Sinwar planned the October 7 attacks and took over the militant outfit after Ismail Haniyeh was allegedly assassinated by Tel Aviv.

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.