Hamas leader, Oct 7 mastermind Yahya Simwar possibly among three killed by Israel military in Gaza

Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli Security Agency said Thursday that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar might be among three killed in a military operation in Gaza.

The IDF has not said whether the strike was by air or military personnel. 

Sinwar was declared Hamas’ new political head in August following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.

If Sinwar is indeed dead, his killing would be a major coup for Israel and its war in the Gaza Strip.

In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Security Agency, or Shin Bet, said at least three militants were killed in a building during an operation in Gaza. They did not expand on how they were killed, but said they were investigating whether one of the three was Sinwar.

The IDF posted on X: "The IDF and ISA are checking the possibility that one of the terrorists was Yahya Sinwar. At this stage, the identity of the terrorists cannot be confirmed." 

"In the building where the terrorists were eliminated, there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the area. The forces that are operating in the area are continuing to operate with the required caution."

Sinwar, 62, served as Hamas' leader in Gaza since 2017 and has led the terrorist group's Political Bureau after Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran in July.