Yahya Sinwar Killed: Hours after a video went viral showing a drone footage of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, a second video has surfaced showing the building being hit by what seems to be a tank. The footage claims to be of the moment when the Israeli military struck the building where Yahya Sinwar was lodged.
In a significant blow to Hamas leadership, Israel killed Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas chief, during an intense armour-infantry assault in southern Gaza’s Rafah. The operation was led by Israel’s 828th Brigade, conducting what the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) described as “intelligence-based targeted raids.”
Footage of a tank firing at Yahya Sinwar’s location to eliminate him.#Israel #Yahya_Sinwar #modi pic.twitter.com/SF5bUI4Rul
— PRIYESH JAIN (@PRIYESHJAIN08) October 19, 2024
The assault resulted in the destruction of Sinwar’s hideout, where Israeli troops later found his body, along with weapons including AK assault rifles and sniper rifles.
The IDF also released drone footage showing a tank firing at the structure where Sinwar had barricaded himself. The video revealed the complete destruction of the building, which was already partially damaged.
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After the assault, ground troops moved in for further inspection and damage assessment, locating Sinwar’s body.
The CNN reported that the Israeli troops identified the body as Yahya Sinwar’s and confirmed his death by cutting off a finger for DNA verification. This was cross-checked against a profile they had from Sinwar’s two-decade imprisonment in Israel, from which he was released in 2011 during a prisoner-swap deal. Reports also confirmed that Sinwar had sustained other injuries, including a headshot.
Yahya Sinwar was known as the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths. His death marks a major point in Israel’s ongoing year-long military campaign in Gaza, which has claimed over 40,000 lives, including many children.
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Israel, after eliminating several top Hamas leaders, including former chief Ismail Haniyeh in July 2024, hopes that Sinwar’s death might lead to the release of hostages still held in Gaza. However, Sinwar’s deputy, Khalil Al-Hayya, who is seen as a potential successor, stated that hostages would not be freed until Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza and the war ends.
