What's happened
Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar was killed by Israeli troops in Gaza on October 17, 2024. His death follows a significant military campaign against Hamas, which began after the group's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Sinwar's leadership was marked by violence and strategic military planning against Israel.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Axios, Sinwar's death could lead Israel to reconsider its military operations in Gaza, as reported by Barak Ravid. The Independent highlights Sinwar's brutal history and rise to power, emphasizing his role in orchestrating the October 7 attack. The contrasting perspectives illustrate the complexity of the situation, with some sources suggesting a potential decrease in violence while others warn of possible retaliation from Hamas.
How we got here
Yehya Sinwar became the head of Hamas in Gaza in August 2024 after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. His leadership coincided with escalating violence, including the October 7 attack that resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
More on these topics
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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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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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Ismail Abdel Salam Ahmed Haniyeh is a senior political leader of Hamas and formerly one of two disputed Prime Ministers of the Palestinian National Authority. Haniyeh became prime minister after Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections of 2006.
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Mohammed Deif, born Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, is the chief of staff and supreme military commander of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.
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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.