Sinwar confirmed dead
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The IDF says that DNA testing has identified Yahya Sinwar:
Israel said it had killed the top Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, eliminating the architect of the Oct. 7 attack and decapitating the militant group after more than a year of war in Gaza.
Sinwar, a U.S.-designated terrorist and convicted murderer, was killed on Wednesday by Israeli soldiers operating in the southern Gaza Strip. His death was confirmed following forensic identification tests, Israeli officials said.
Sinwar was Israel’s most wanted man in Gaza, and his death will likely bring pressure from the U.S. and within Israel to end its military offensive there and reach a deal to bring the remaining hostages home. It represents a major win for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had vowed to destroy the leadership of Hamas and its military capabilities.
“The State of Israel has brought justice with the elimination of Yahya Sinwar—a vile murderer and terrorist,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Thursday night.
Hamas didn’t respond to a request for comment.
[…]
Around 100 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, including many dead. Talks between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of the remaining hostages have collapsed in recent months, largely because of the intransigence of Sinwar and Netanyahu.
The Israeli military said there was no presence of hostages in the area of operations in Gaza. Israeli officials had previously said they believed Sinwar surrounded himself with hostages as a security measure.
This would be an excellent point for Israel to declare victory and stop the war in Gaza and also to definitely not give Sinwar the parting gift of the wider regional war that was his core objective. Alas, I don’t think that’s the reaction we’re going to get.
If you haven’t read it already I recommend David Remnick’s unsparing profile.