The Israeli army: Yahya Sinwar was killed during a fight with an Israeli force in Rafah… still no confirmation from Hamas

Israeli Army Radio said on Thursday that Yahya Sinwar, head of the political bureau of Hamas, had been liquidated.

The Israeli army said that during an activity by the army forces in the Gaza Strip, three people were killed, noting that the army and the General Security Service (Shabak) are examining the possibility that one of the dead was Yahya Sinwar, head of the political bureau of the Hamas movement.

He added that at this stage it’s not possible to confirm the identity of the dead in the building in which the three people were killed.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the details allowed in the post so far are that an Israeli army force that was combing the area identified people in the building, part of which was destroyed by the army, and eliminated them.

One of the gunmen looked like Sinwar, and later photos of the alleged corpse were circulated.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, a large sum of Israeli money was found on the bodies of the two dead, in addition to identity cards and documents.

The bodies were first examined by drones, but their identities will only be verified through DNA testing, the results of which will be revealed within hours.

Shortly after the Israeli army’s announcement, senior Israeli officials said that “the chances of eliminating Sinwar are very high, and there are indications of this on the ground… Israel very likely killed Sinwar,” a senior government official added.

In contrast, Hamas hasn’t yet commented on the Israeli announcement, either confirming or denying it.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said that Israel will reach every terrorist and eliminate him, after the Israeli army announced that it was investigating the possible killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

“Our enemies cannot hide, and we will pursue and eliminate them,” Galant wrote on X.