Israeli forces announced Thursday that they are working to verify if Yahya Sinwar, a senior Hamas leader and key architect of the October 7 attacks, was among the three militants killed during a recent operation in Gaza.
A senior Israeli official indicated a “high likelihood” that one of the deceased individuals matched Sinwar’s description.
The incident occurred when Israeli troops targeted a group of militants inside a Gaza building on Wednesday.
After entering the structure, soldiers noticed one of the bodies bore a strong resemblance to Sinwar, however, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that it could not yet confirm his identity.
No hostages were found in the area where the militants were killed.
The IDF and Shin Bet security forces are operating cautiously in the area to verify the identities of the deceased individuals.
Photos circulating on social media appeared to show a body resembling Sinwar.
Officials are conducting DNA testing, fingerprint checks, and dental examinations to confirm his identity, as Israel possesses his records from his time in prison.
Sinwar, who has led Hamas in Gaza since 2017, is widely seen as the mastermind behind the October 7 attacks that led to the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and many others were taken hostage, in retaliation to the forcible takeover of the homes of Palestinians by Israeli settlers.
Born in Khan Yunis, he was involved in establishing Hamas’s internal security division during the group’s early years.
Known for targeting collaborators with Israel, he spent 23 years in Israeli prisons before his release in a 2011 prisoner exchange.
The conflict, which has continued since Hamas’s October 7 assault, has led to over 42,000 Palestinian casualties.