Israel killed on Thursday its top target in Gaza – Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar, the country’s political and military leaders said.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz confirmed the death of Israel’s most wanted man in the exclave as did military spokesman Daniel Hagari.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed al-Sinwar’s death in a video message to Gaza’s residents on Thursday evening, calling it “the beginning of the day after Hamas” and an opportunity for them to free themselves from the militia’s oppressive rule.
Katz, in a personal message to his counterparts around the world, called the killing “a significant military and moral victory for Israel and for the entire free world in its fight against the axis of radical Islam led by Iran.”
He added: “Sinwar’s elimination opens the door for the immediate release of the hostages and for a transformative change in Gaza – one without Hamas and without Iranian control.”
There was no immediate comment from either Hamas or Iran, which supports both Hamas and the Lebanese Shiite miltia group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Al-Sinwar is considered the mastermind of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel in which Hamas and other militant organisations killed more than 1,200 people and abducted another 250 people into Gaza.
According to Israel, Hamas is still holding 101 people, although it is unclear how many of them are still alive.
It is unclear whether it will now be easier to get remaining Israeli hostages released from Gaza. Hostage families, while happy that al-Sinwar is dead, called for their release.
“We settled the score with mass murderer Sinwar but…there will be no real closure, there will be no total victory, if we don’t save lives and bring them home,” Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is still being held captive in Gaza, told the Jerusalem Post.
Videos posted online showed Israelis in Ashdod and on the beach cheering when learning that al-Sinwar had been killed.
