Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed Hamas Gaza chief Mohammed Sinwar was 'eliminated,' but military sources could not confirm his death amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises in Gaza, where civilians face starvation, displacement, and violence.
Israel claims to have eliminated Mohammed Sinwar, a key Hamas leader and brother of Yahya Sinwar, in its ongoing military operations in Gaza, significantly impacting Hamas's leadership amid the conflict.
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is under pressure from his military commanders to agree to a ceasefire with Israel due to the suffering in Gaza. This pressure has intensified as Hamas has dropped major demands and lost key leaders in Israeli attacks. The conflict has shifted to an insurgency-based resistance. US officials believe Sinwar is hiding in Khan Yunis, and an Israeli delegation is set to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage release in Egypt or Qatar.
In 2004, Israeli doctor Yuval Bitton saved the life of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who later orchestrated the October 7 attacks that killed Bitton's nephew and over 1200 others. Sinwar, who was released in a 2011 prisoner exchange, had promised to repay Bitton but instead led a brutal assault on Israel, highlighting the ongoing conflict and the complexities of dealing with Hamas.
An Israeli dentist, Dr. Yuval Bitton, once saved the life of Yahya Sinwar, a Hamas leader, during his imprisonment. Years later, Sinwar masterminded a deadly attack on Israel, leading to a complex relationship between the two men. Dr. Bitton, now a senior intelligence officer, reflects on their past interactions and the current hostage negotiations led by Sinwar.
Israel's Mossad has stated that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is uninterested in a hostage deal, as Hamas rejected a proposal presented by mediators in Cairo, despite significant flexibility on Israel's part. The Prime Minister's Office accused Hamas of seeking regional escalation by exploiting tensions with Iran. Israel vowed to continue pursuing the return of 133 hostages from Gaza forcefully.
Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas in Gaza, reportedly made the decision to launch the October 7 attack without consulting other Hamas leaders, leading to criticism within the organization. The decision was allegedly made by a small group of Hamas leaders, including Sinwar and his close associates, without informing the rest of the leadership. This move has caused internal tensions within Hamas.
Israeli Commando Brigade troops raided a compound in western Khan Yunis associated with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, eliminating dozens of terrorists and uncovering large amounts of military equipment. The operation, conducted by the elite Egoz Unit, was based on precise intelligence and part of ongoing efforts to root out terror elements in the area. The IDF also reported locating large quantities of weaponry, including mortars, grenades, and combat equipment, as part of their recent push in western Khan Yunis.
Israel claims that Hamas is leaderless and scrambling to find a new chief after Yahya Sinwar, the orchestrator of the October 7 attack, dropped off the radar. Israel has concentrated its military operations in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, where Sinwar is from, and released a video purportedly showing him with his family in a tunnel. The IDF insists that its operations are tightening the noose around Hamas's leadership, while Hamas officials have stated that Sinwar would fight to the death rather than surrender. The search for a new leader within Hamas is underway, with Mohammed Deif being seen as a potential replacement. Deadly fighting continues in Gaza, with Israel warning of further offensive action if hostages are not released.
Israel claims that Hamas is seeking to replace Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar due to a series of defeats and his ongoing radio silence, with the Israeli Defense Minister stating that Hamas has lost confidence in its Gaza leaders. Sinwar, suspected of masterminding a recent terrorist attack, has allegedly been out of contact with the terror group for weeks, and the IDF has vowed to hunt him down. The IDF has claimed to have isolated him in an underground bunker and surrounded his home, but Sinwar has eluded capture. Despite international outcry, the IDF is expected to advance into Gaza's most populous city, Rafah, as it continues to target Hamas forces.
After a video of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar hiding underground with his family surfaced, Gaza residents have turned against him, criticizing him for prioritizing his own safety while leaving the people above ground to struggle. Some residents expressed anger and disappointment, calling Sinwar a cowardly leader who sacrifices his people for himself. However, there are also supporters who view Sinwar as a strong figure standing up to the Israeli occupation. The IDF continues to tighten the noose around Sinwar's location.
The IDF released footage of Hamas military leader Yahya Sinwar fleeing tunnels under Khan Younis with his family, identified through artificial intelligence image analysis, and revealed the discovery of underground compounds and the capture of relatives of senior Hamas officials. The IDF spokesman stated that they are determined to catch Sinwar alive or dead, and that recent intelligence suggests he has been out of contact with other Hamas leaders for at least two weeks, casting doubt on his involvement in hostage release negotiations.
The Israeli military released CCTV footage purportedly showing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar inside a tunnel in Gaza, but CNN cannot independently verify the identity of the person in the video or when it was recorded. The IDF did not provide additional evidence to support their claims.
The Israel Defense Forces shared a video of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar escaping through a tunnel network with his family after the group's attack on Israel. The video, obtained from a Hamas security camera, shows Sinwar fleeing with his family to a pre-built safe complex. The IDF spokesperson criticized Sinwar for hiding in tunnels while the people suffer above ground and vowed to dismantle Hamas. Israel and Hamas are negotiating a cease-fire and hostage-release deal, with Israel aiming to destroy Hamas' capabilities and free hostages. The war has caused significant destruction in the Gaza Strip, with conflicting reports on casualties and displacement.
A newly released video shows Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' top official in Gaza and suspected mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks, fleeing through a tunnel with his family. The IDF has been pursuing Sinwar since December and vows to continue the hunt until he is captured. Sinwar's whereabouts have become unclear, with speculation that he may be hiding in Rafah, Gaza's most populous city. Hamas has not commented on the video or the whereabouts of its leader.