Hamas confirms Yahya Sinwar's death, says it won't free hostages until Israel stops war

Hamas on Friday confirmed its chief Yahya Sinwar’s death, almost a day after Israel announced he was killed in a drone strike in Gaza.

The confirmation was announced by the deputy Gaza Hamas chief and the group’s chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya.

In a video statement to Al Jazeera, the leader said, “We mourn the great leader, the martyred brother, Yahya Sinwar, Abu Ibrahim.”

Hayya mourned the death of Sinwar and added that his killing would only strengthen the group.

Sinwar’s death will turn into a curse ‘on the occupiers’, he said, adding that Israeli hostages would not return until aggression on Gaza stops and Israeli forces withdraw.

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Earlier today, IDF released a video showing how Sinwar died. In the video, Sinwar could be seen throwing a stick at an Israeli drone, seemingly trying to wade it off.

The Hamas chief was the mastermind behind the October 7 attack. His death at the hands of Israel has been welcomed by leaders across the world including US President Joe Biden.

With Sinwar’s death, pressure has mounted for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war and bring back the hostages.

‘Won’t free hostages’

Hamas added said it won’t release hostages until Israel ends its war on Gaza, withdraws from the territory and frees jailed Palestinians.

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The hostages “will not return… unless the aggression against our people in Gaza stops, there is a complete withdrawal from it, and our heroic prisoners are released from the occupation’s prisons,” Qatar-based Khalil al-Haya said in the video statement.

Their statement comes at a time when Netanyahu is about to convene a security meeting with the government to discuss the progress made in the hostage deal.

With inputs from agencies