Israel investigates ‘death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in air strike’

Israel is investigating the possibility that Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ Gaza-based leader, is dead, several Hebrew media outlets are reporting.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Military Intelligence Directorate claimed Sinwar may have been killed in air strikes on Gaza, according to the Kan public broadcaster and the Haaretz, Maariv and Walla news sites.

But while there is not currently enough evidence to back up the theory, the Israeli military and intelligence services are investigating the claim. Sources inside Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency have been quoted as saying that they suspect Sinwar is likely still alive.

Other reports quoted sources suggesting that Sinwar, who is prone to hiding in Hamas’ vast network of tunnels in Gaza, may have chosen to go off the radar. He has previously done this, only to reemerge to share messages about the hostage-ceasefire deal.

The Israeli military said: “We have no information confirming or refuting the matter.”

Israel is suspected to have carried out a series of deadly strikes against senior Hamas operatives since the Oct 7 terror attack. Israel assassinated Muhammed Deif, the terror group’s military wing chief, and Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ leader, in July.

Source » telegraph.co.uk