Tel Aviv, Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Thursday (Oct 17) that Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar and one of the key people behind the October 7 attack on Israel last year have been killed.

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"Evil has suffered a severe blow," Netanyahu said during an address after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Sinwar's death in southern Gaza.

"The man who committed the most terrible massacre in the history of our people since the Holocaust, the mass murderer who murdered thousands of Israelis and kidnapped hundreds of our citizens, was eliminated today by our heroic troops," the Israeli PM said.

Netanyahu praised the Israeli forces, saying Sinwar was taken down by the “heroic soldiers” of the IDF.

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Also read: ‘Mass murderer’, ‘Oct 7 attack architect’ Yahya Sinwar killed, confirms Israel

Netanyahu added, “To the Hamas terrorists I say – your leaders are running away and they will be eliminated. I call on everyone who holds our hostages: whoever lays down his arms and returns our hostages – we will allow him to leave and live. Whoever harms our hostages – there will be blood on his head and we will hold him accountable. The return of our hostages is an opportunity to achieve all our goals and it brings the end of the war closer.”

Initially, the IDF reported that three militants were killed during the operation in Gaza. However, Sinwar was identified among them later.

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Also read: Who was Yahya Sinwar? ‘Butcher of Khan Younis’ Israeli forces killed

Sinwar, the mastermind of the October 7 attack, was killed in an Israeli forces operation in Gaza on Thursday. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz confirmed the Hamas chief's death, saying, “Mass murderer Yahya Sinwar, who was responsible for the massacre and atrocities of October 7, was killed today by IDF soldiers.”

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant also called on Hamas to surrender and free the hostages.

“Yahya Sinwar was eliminated and ended his life, beaten, persecuted and fled. His elimination is a clear message to the families of the fallen and abducted – we are doing everything and will continue to do it. Residents of Gaza, the end of the man who killed you in a disaster has arrived, go out with the kidnapped, free them and surrender,” Gallant said in a video posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

(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.