The killing of Yahya Sinwar, who had topped Israel's most-wanted list, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel has accused Sinwar of orchestrating the unprecedented October 7 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in Israel and the abduction of 251 hostages last year.
Sinwar assumed the position of overall leader of Hamas after the death of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran in July. Prior to that, he served as the group's leader in the Gaza Strip. Hamas has yet to confirm or comment on Sinwar's death, but Israeli authorities report that dental and fingerprint evidence from his years in Israeli prisons has positively identified the body discovered in Rafah, in southern Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Sinwar's death in an address, stating that it reinforced Israel’s determination to continue the war until the remaining hostages are freed. Meanwhile, U.S. officials see Sinwar's death as a potential moment to renew efforts toward a ceasefire deal and secure the hostages' release.
Earlier, Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence Agency reported that an Israeli airstrike on a school building in northern Gaza killed at least 22 people. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted a Hamas command center, which the group has denied.
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