Yahya Sinwar is the leader of Hamas in Gaza, a position he has held since 2017.
Since the assassination of Ismail Haniyah in Tehran, Sinwar has become the overall leader of Hamas. His current whereabouts are unknown, but are believed to be in the tunnels beneath the Gaza Strip.
The Sinwars helped build Hamas into the genocidal powerhouse it was on October 7. However, their deaths have appeared to come and go without much of a change in the organization’s behavior.
In addition to Sinwar, the airstrike killed the commanders of Hamas's Rafah Brigade and South Khan Yunis Brigade.
Hamas's political leadership has suffered blows, but its underground tunnel network remains a significant threat.
Sinwar is believed to have been a hardline figure in Hamas who refused any compromise in negotiations with Israel that didn't include an end to the war.
Never in the past 40 years has Hamas had so many leaders and commanders killed - if the goal is to replace Hamas, now would be the time.
Yahya Sinwar was quoted in secret Hamas meeting notes that ISraeli-Saudi normalization would "open the door for the majority of Arab and Islamic countries to follow the same path.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that these strikes are just the beginning.
Mohammad Shabanah was potentially next in line to lead Hamas; New next in line: Gaza Brigade Chief al-Hadad.
Released IDF observers shared a sardonic farewell to Hamas commander Mohammed Sinwar after reports of an Israeli strike. “Only those who survived captivity will understand this song,” they wrote.
The assassination attempt occurred as the Israeli delegation for hostage and ceasefire talks arrived in Qatar on Tuesday evening.
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