Israeli forces claim killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza

Israel’s military has announced that its forces have killed Yahya Sinwar, a senior Hamas leader, during an operation in southern Gaza.

The military confirmed on October 17 that Sinwar was eliminated on October 16, following a series of operations targeting him, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

In a statement, the Israeli military said: “After completing the process of identifying the body, it can be confirmed that Yahya Sinwar was eliminated.”

They also highlighted that Sinwar had been on the run for several months, with numerous operations by the Israeli military and Israel’s domestic security service, Shin Bet, significantly restricting his movements.

Hamas has yet to comment on Israel’s claim.

President Joe Biden has described the death of Yahya Sinwar as a pivotal moment, offering the potential for a political resolution in Gaza and a brighter future for both Israelis and Palestinians. Following confirmation of Sinwar's death on October 17, Biden stated, "That obstacle no longer exists," highlighting Sinwar’s role as a major barrier to peace.

With less than three weeks until the US presidential election, the escalating conflict in the Middle East has caused tension among Jewish and Muslim Americans and has left the Democratic Party divided. The Biden administration is also facing Republican criticism over its handling of the situation.

While Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have expressed optimism that this development might allow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare victory in Gaza, they also hope it will pave the way for a hostage deal and reduce the number of grim reports of civilian casualties. However, experts have cautioned that new challenges could emerge, particularly regarding Hamas's leadership and Netanyahu’s next steps in the conflict.

Notably, since October last year, Israel has been engaged in a military campaign in Gaza, which, according to the enclave's Health Ministry's data, has resulted in the deaths of over 42,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians. This followed Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel, in which 1,139 people lost their lives.

By Aghakazim Guliyev