Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Killed in Gaza, Israel Says – WSJ

Israeli forces killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the architect of last year s Oct. 7 attack, officials said Thursday, dealing a major blow to the militant group and achieving one of Israel s top objectives for the war.

Sinwar was Israel s most wanted man in Gaza, and his death marks a potential inflection point for the war. It will likely bring pressure on Israel from the U.S. and domestically to end the military offensive there and reach a deal to bring the remaining hostages home. The killing represents a major win for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had vowed to destroy the leadership and military capabilities of Hamas.

Hamas will no longer rule Gaza, Netanyahu said Thursday, adding that militants who turn themselves in would be pardoned, while those who harm hostages would be hunted down. The war isn t over, he said.

Sinwar, a U.S.-designated terrorist, was killed on Wednesday by Israeli soldiers operating in the southern Gaza Strip. His death was later confirmed via forensic tests, including dental checks, DNA and fingerprint matching, Israeli officials said.

President Biden said Thursday that he would be speaking with Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders to discuss a pathway for bringing the hostages home to their families and ending the war.

via www.wsj.com