Tel Aviv: As the Gaza crisis unfolds, Israel is reportedly investigating whether Hamas’s Gaza-based leader, Yahya Sinwar, has died. Several Hebrew media outlets suggest that Sinwar has been “incommunicado” for an unusually long time, fueling speculation, according to The Times of Israel. However, these reports lack solid evidence, and Israeli authorities have not confirmed the existence of any formal probe.
Sources indicate that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Military Intelligence Directorate believes Sinwar may have been killed in one of Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza, though there’s no conclusive evidence. The Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, has maintained that Sinwar is likely alive.
Security officials cited by various media outlets acknowledged the possibility of Sinwar’s death but emphasized that current claims are speculative and without concrete basis. According to The Times of Israel, Sinwar—who has been in hiding since Hamas’s October 7 attack—has temporarily gone off the radar in the past, adding to the uncertainty.
Also Read | Israel and Hezbollah Threaten to Escalate Conflict, Sparking Fears of All-Out War
IDF: No Confirmation or Denial
Another Israeli outlet, Haaretz, highlighted that Israel has bombarded tunnels in areas where Sinwar is thought to be hiding in recent months. When asked about Sinwar’s possible death, the Israeli military stated they had no information to confirm or deny the reports.
Sinwar has kept a low profile throughout his leadership of Hamas in Gaza, emerging only during critical moments, such as ceasefire negotiations with Israel, which have previously collapsed. Israel continues to identify Sinwar as the mastermind behind the October 7 Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 people in Israel.
Also Read | Zaporizhzhia Hit by Russian Airstrikes: Nine Civilians Reported Injured
His communication network, reportedly involving intermediaries and handwritten messages, has further complicated efforts to track his whereabouts. Sinwar’s last confirmed sighting was when he disappeared into Hamas’s underground tunnels with his family following the attack.
