Tel Aviv: Several foreign news channels have claimed that Yahya Sinwar, the new leader of Hamas and Israel’s most wanted figure, has been killed in an airstrike in Gaza.
According to international news agencies, local Hebrew media, including public broadcaster Kan and Haaretz, as well as Mario and Walla news sites, reported the alleged killing of Yahya Sinwar in an airstrike in Gaza.
Following these claims, Israeli intelligence has launched an investigation into the foreign media reports and the communication blackout with Sinwar from Hamas. However, initial investigations have not produced any solid evidence confirming his death.
On the other hand, the Shin Bet agency reported, citing sources, that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is alive but has curtailed communications to ensure his safety.
Some reports indicated that Yahya Sinwar had gone underground in Gaza’s tunnels after the October 7 attacks, making him elusive to Israeli radar.
Later, Sinwar re-emerged on Israeli radar after issuing messages related to ceasefire negotiations, but he has been off radar for several days, raising concerns about the veracity of the reports of his death.
Yahya Sinwar was appointed as the new leader of Hamas following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in an attack in Tehran last July.
Earlier this month, Israel’s Defense Minister claimed that they were continuously pursuing Yahya Sinwar and his brother Muhammad, asserting that they would soon be captured.
Despite these claims, the Israeli military has not achieved any significant success in capturing Yahya Sinwar or obtaining relevant information about him.
One reason for this could be Sinwar’s complex and secretive communication system, along with handwritten notes that are difficult to intercept and decipher.