Israeli forces have confirmed the death of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, during a military operation. Sinwar’s death is being considered a significant event in the ongoing Gaza war, with Israeli media highlighting its importance.
Sinwar Was Not Killed in a Planned Attack
According to a BBC report, Yahya Sinwar was not killed in a planned strike. Instead, Israeli forces targeted a building in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, where he was found. Sinwar had been leading Hamas in Gaza since 2017. He was identified as the mastermind behind the attack on October 7, where Hamas fighters killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
The End of War or a New Beginning?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not view the death of Yahya Sinwar as the end of the Gaza war. Instead, he described it as a sign of a prolonged conflict. He remarked, “The war could end tomorrow if Hamas surrenders their weapons and releases all the hostages in Gaza.”
Operation in Rafah City
The Israeli military reported that the operation took place in a building in Rafah, where they believed senior Hamas leaders were hiding. During the raid, three individuals, including Yahya Sinwar, were killed. The operation did not reveal any signs of hostages at the location. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesperson, stated that Israeli forces saw armed men running between rooms before Yahya Sinwar entered the building alone.
Delays in Confirming Sinwar’s Death
Israeli forces took several hours to confirm Sinwar’s death, using dental records and fingerprint data for verification. This delay occurred because Sinwar had spent many years in Israeli prisons, and Israel had stored his genetic data.
Netanyahu’s Statement
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Sinwar’s death, saying, “Although this is not the end of the Gaza war, it marks the beginning of the end.” Addressing the families of hostages, he assured, “Israel will fight with all its might until we can bring your loved ones home.”
Is Peace Possible After Sinwar’s Death?
For a long time, the Israeli military had focused on targeting Yahya Sinwar. However, his death has raised questions about whether the war will truly end. Netanyahu made it clear that, for Israel, this is only the beginning. Without the disarmament of Hamas and the release of hostages, there seems to be no possibility of peace in the Gaza region.
Yahya Sinwar’s death has made the future of the Gaza conflict even more uncertain. This assassination might not bring resolution but rather escalate tensions further. It remains to be seen whether any peace initiatives emerge between the two sides or if the war continues for an extended period.
Source: Ittefaq
