The article details the final hours of Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas leader killed by a sniper’s shot to the head on October 7, 2023. His body is reportedly held in a secret location in Israel and could be used as leverage in hostage negotiations. Forensic analysis confirmed his identity, while his violent history as a notorious militant is highlighted. The hunt for Sinwar intensified following attacks on Israel, culminating in his death as Israeli forces targeted him.
- Following the death of Yahya Sinwar, details regarding his final moments have begun to surface.
- A forensic expert stated that the orchestrator of the October 7, 2023 massacre was shot in the head.
- Media outlets report that Sinwar’s remains are being kept at a confidential location in Israel.
- His body may be utilized as a “bargaining chip” in negotiations for the release of hostages taken by Hamas.
In the days leading up to the elimination of this leading terrorist figure, Israeli forces observed three individuals traversing various buildings in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip. This information comes from a report by The New York Times, quoting security sources from both Israel and the USA. Following a firefight that resulted in serious injuries to an Israeli soldier, one individual managed to escape into a nearby residence.
Sniper Allegedly Takes Down Sinwar
The Israeli military deployed a drone, discovering a dust-covered, hooded man lounging on a sofa inside the building, who then hurled an object at the drone. This individual was later identified as Sinwar.
A sniper subsequently shot him in the head, and an Israeli tank opened fire on the structure, according to The New York Times. Concerned about potential booby traps, troops did not enter the building until daybreak, where they ultimately located a body that strongly resembled Sinwar. “The deceased had multiple injuries: a rocket wound on the right forearm, damage from falling debris on the left leg, and excessive shrapnel in the chest. The gunshot wound to the head was the definitive cause of death,” stated forensic specialist Kugel.
DNA Testing Confirms Identity
The forensic pathologist noted that a finger was severed from the body to perform a DNA analysis for identification purposes. “After a genetic profile was created in the lab, it was compared with a profile obtained during his imprisonment. This allowed us to confirm his identity through DNA,” he explained.
Sinwar, infamously known as the “Butcher of Chan Yunis” due to his ruthless treatment of political adversaries, had previously served a lengthy prison sentence for the murder of four alleged informants and two Israeli soldiers. He spent over 20 years in Israeli custody before being released in 2011 in a prisoner exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit.
Sinwar’s Remains as Leverage in Hostage Negotiations
According to reports, Sinwar’s body is stored at a secret location in Israel, where it might be used as a negotiation tool for the release of hostages held by Hamas. “If Hamas intends to negotiate for his body in exchange for live or deceased Israelis, we are open to it,” an anonymous source indicated. Without a deal, the remains will not be handed over to Gaza.
Shortly after Sinwar’s death, Israeli forces also killed the bodyguard of Hamas leader Mahmoud Hamdan. This commander was killed just 200 meters from Sinwar’s location and had been responsible for guarding six Israeli hostages murdered in August.
The Pursuit of Hamas Leadership
In the aftermath of the violent assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, where over 1200 lives were lost, the Israeli military and intelligence agencies initiated a manhunt for Sinwar, who was deemed the principal planner of the attack.
Sinwar employed various tactics to evade capture, opting to forgo cell phones and computers, communicating solely via messengers to keep his location concealed.
Detection of Sinwar’s DNA
Following the recovery of the bodies of six hostages lost in an underground tunnel in late August, Israeli forces were able to identify Sinwar’s urine in the complex using DNA testing, as reported by The New York Times. The intelligence community increasingly observed cloaked individuals in the Tal al-Sultan area, believed to be high-ranking Hamas leaders due to their security details.
Ultimately, a stroke of luck played a part in Sinwar’s capture. The military team that ultimately found him was primarily there to gather intelligence but managed to land a significant blow against Hamas amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.