The leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, was confirmed dead by Israeli forces during an operation in southern Gaza on October 17, 2024

Sinwar was identified as the chief architect behind the October 7, 2023, attacks that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the taking of 251 hostages

His death was confirmed through dental records after a military operation that also killed two other militants

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Israel Katz, hailed Sinwar's killing as a major military and moral victory against Hamas and radical Islamic factions

Sinwar had been one of Israel's most wanted figures since Hamas's attacks in October 2023 and had previously evaded capture using an extensive tunnel network in Gaza

U.S. officials expressed hope that Sinwar's death might facilitate the release of hostages still held by Hamas, although no immediate evidence suggested hostages were present at the site of his killing

Former CIA Director David Petraeus characterized the killing as more significant than the assassination of Osama Bin Laden, emphasizing its symbolic and operational importance

Sinwar had led Hamas in Gaza since 2017 and assumed overall leadership following the assassination of former political chief Ismail Haniyeh in July 2024

Despite Sinwar's death, Israeli military operations in Gaza continue, with reports indicating a high civilian toll from ongoing airstrikes