What's happened
Israeli forces released drone footage purportedly showing the last moments of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader killed in Rafah on October 16, 2024. The video depicts Sinwar's final moments before he was shot and killed, raising questions about the implications of his death for the ongoing conflict.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The New York Times reported that the Israeli military released footage showing Sinwar's last moments, emphasizing the personal nature of modern warfare. In contrast, The Telegraph highlighted the emotional responses from Gazans, illustrating the complex feelings surrounding Sinwar's death. Business Insider UK noted the advancements in drone technology that allowed for such close surveillance, marking a significant evolution in military tactics. These differing perspectives underscore the multifaceted implications of Sinwar's death on both local and international levels.
How we got here
Yahya Sinwar, a key figure in Hamas, was implicated in orchestrating the October 7 attacks. Following these events, Israel intensified military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, leading to significant casualties and destruction.
More on these topics
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Yahya Sinwar is the current Palestinian leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, having taken over from Ismail Haniyeh in February 2017. He was one of the co-founders of the security apparatus of Hamas. He is the second most powerful figure within Hamas.
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Gaza may refer to:
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Rafah is a Palestinian city in the southern Gaza Strip. It is the district capital of the Rafah Governorate, located 30 kilometers south of Gaza City. Rafah's population of 152,950 is overwhelmingly made up of former Palestinian refugees.