In a significant development on Friday, Hamas officially confirmed the death of its leader, Yahya Sinwar. Khalil Al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official and the group's chief negotiator, announced that Sinwar died in combat, asserting that his passing would only serve to strengthen Hamas's resolve.
Al-Hayya made the declaration through a video statement, emphasizing that Sinwar's death would become a curse upon \"the occupiers.\" This announcement follows the Israeli military's statement on Thursday, which confirmed that Sinwar was killed during an operation in southern Gaza.
Yahya Sinwar was a pivotal figure within Hamas, known for orchestrating the October 7 attack on Israel. He rose to leadership following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in a suspected Israeli strike in Tehran in late July. Sinwar's tenure as Hamas leader marked a period of heightened tensions and strategic shifts within the organization.
In his statement, Al-Hayya also addressed the issue of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. He declared that their release would only come if \"the aggression\" against the Palestinian enclave ceased and Israeli forces withdrew. Al-Hayya reiterated Hamas's commitment to its path until the aspirations of the Palestinian people are fully realized.
This development marks a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict, indicating potential changes in Hamas's strategies and approaches moving forward.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
