Israel Confirms Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Killed, PM Netanyahu Says War Continues

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. (Source: IRNA)

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the task was not over, after Israel announced the death of Palestinian militant group leader Yahya Sinwar as a result of attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Israeli protesters on Thursday were judged by the West to open up opportunities to immediately end the war and humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, as well as hopes that Israeli families will return their family members who are being held hostage.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Yahya Sinwar was killed in an operation south of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

"After completing the process of identifying the bodies, it can be ascertained that Yahya Sinwar has been killed," the IDF said.

There has been no immediate comment from Hamas, but sources in the militant group said indications from Gaza suggest Sinwar had been killed in Israeli operations.

Speaking from Jerusalem after Sinwar's death was confirmed, PM Netanyahu said the death of the Hamas leader offered peace opportunities in the Middle East, but warned the war in Gaza was not over and Israel would continue until its hostages were repatriated.

"Today we have resolved the problem. Today the crime has been hit by a problem but our job is still not finished," PM Netanyahu said in a video recording statement.

"To the family of the beloved hostages, I say: This is an important moment in war. We will continue to fight with full strength until everyone you love, our loved ones, go home," he continued.

Meanwhile, Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz said: "This is a great military and moral achievement for Israel."

Meanwhile, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said Israel's pursuit of Sinwar over the past year had prompted him "to act like a fugitive, causing him to move locations several times."

He said the army had visited Sinwar during routine operations without knowing its whereabouts, unlike other operations against militant leaders based on comprehensive intelligence.

The killings took place during a land operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah where Israeli forces killed three militants and retrieved their bodies, Israeli Army Radio said.

In Israel, the hostages' families detained by Hamas in Gaza said they hoped the ceasefire would now take the prisoners home but were also worried that their loved ones would be in greater danger.

Separately, US President Joe Biden spoke to PM Netanyahu by telephone to congratulate him. French President Emmanuel Macron said Sinwar's death provided an opportunity for the conflict that had lasted more than a year in Gaza to finally end and for Israeli hostages to take home.