Hamas Chief, Oct. 7 Mastermind Yahya Sinwar Possibly Dead: IDF Conducts DNA Tests After Gaza Clash

The Israel Defense Forces announced Thursday that it is investigating whether one of three militants killed in Israel’s recent operations in Gaza is Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader believed to be responsible for orchestrating the Oct. 7 attacks.

Although the IDF and Israeli Security Agency have yet to confirm the identity of the deceased, Israeli sources have indicated that a body resembling Sinwar was found by troops in Gaza, according to CNN.

During IDF operations in Gaza, 3 terrorists were eliminated. 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…

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 17, 2024

What Happened: Israeli infantry reportedly encountered the militants near a building in Gaza and engaged them. After the clash, troops discovered the body of a man with a resemblance to Sinwar, prompting an alert to senior commanders for further examination.

Israeli intelligence is conducting DNA analysis to definitively determine whether the body is Sinwar's, as per CNN.

Sinwar has not been seen publicly since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023.

Social media images purporting to show the dead Hamas leader have been circulating.

Why It Matters: Sinwar’s death would have significant political implications, particularly for the Biden administration, as the Hamas leader’s removal from power has been considered a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict.

Furthermore, "if Israel has managed to kill Yahya Sinwar that might be the only event on the ground that could potentially get Israel to stop decimating Gaza. That is the symbolic achievement Israel has been looking for," Israel political commentator Ori Goldberg told Al Jazeera.

Market Reactions: Financial markets remained largely unaffected by the news. Oil prices, tracked through the United States Oil Fund (NYSE:USO), were stable on Thursday, while Israeli stocks continued their upward trajectory.

The VanEck Israel ETF (NYSE:ISRA) gained 0.5%, and the iShares MSCI Israel ETF (NYSE:EIS) rose 0.8%, marking a sustained period of growth for the market.

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