Hamas has acknowledged suffering significant losses following the killing of its leader, Yahya Sinwar, in a recent Israeli military operation. The Israeli Defense Forces released drone footage capturing the final moments of Sinwar's life, showing him throwing a wooden board at a drone before being found dead with a gun and nearly $11,000 in his possession.
A senior Hamas official, Basem Naim, expressed the pain and distress of losing a beloved leader but emphasized the movement's resilience and ultimate victory in the fight for liberty. Naim highlighted that despite past losses of key figures, Hamas has only grown stronger and more popular, with its leaders becoming symbols for future generations.
Naim reiterated that Hamas is a liberation movement driven by the pursuit of freedom and dignity, asserting that such ideals cannot be eradicated. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Sinwar's death marked the beginning of the end of Hamas' rule in Gaza, offering residents an opportunity to break free from its control.
Reports indicate that Sinwar was killed during a confrontation with Israeli soldiers after suspected terrorists were spotted in Gaza. Following an exchange of fire and a tank shell hitting a building, Sinwar's body was discovered among three casualties.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas underscores the deep-rooted tensions in the region, with both sides vowing to continue their respective struggles. The death of Yahya Sinwar serves as a significant development in the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.