 "Iran contrasts Sinwar's killing with Saddam's capture, says 'spirit of resistance' strengthened")
The circumstances of death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar will strengthen the “spirit of resistance”, Iran said after the Israeli military confirmed that it has killed him in the southern Gaza town of Rafah.
The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations (UN) compared Sinwar’s killing to the hanging of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, who was captured by US forces in 2003 and subsequently convicted of crimes against humanity.
On Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Sinwar is dead. The confirmation came after initial DNA testing.
“Mass murderer Yahya Sinwar, who was responsible for the massacre and atrocities of October 7, was killed today by IDF soldiers,” Katz said in a statement.
Sinwar was Israel’s target since the start of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas. Benjamin Netanyahu’s troops have vowed to eliminate him.
Before Sinwar was elevated to the top leader of Hamas, his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an apparent Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran.
How did Israeli military track & kill Yahya Sinwar?
Sinwar was the mastermind and the architect of the fatal October 7, 2023, attack on Israel which prompted the ongoing war between the Jewish state and terror group in the Gaza Strip.
The 61-year-old was said to have spent much of his time shielding himself in the tunnels of the Gaza Strip. He and other Hamas leaders were guarded by the barrage of bodyguards, while they used hostages of Israel as a “human shield."
On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was conducting a routine patrol in Rafah and its 828th Bislamach Brigade was patrolling Tal al-Sultan. During this time, three terrorists were identified by the Israeli troops and eventually were eliminated in the operation.
Initially, there was not any remarkable firefight and soldiers also did not return to the spot until the next morning. However, on Thursday, the bodies of the slain terrorists were inspected and one of them appeared to bear resemblance with Sinwar.
As per the Israeli military, Sinwar’s corpse remained where it was spotted, but part of his finger was removed and sent to Israel for DNA testing.
Following the test, it was confirmed that the body of the Hamas terrorist killed by Israeli troops was of Sinwar. It was then brought to Israel.
Was it a targetted attack?
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that the Israeli troops spotted three operatives running from house to house following which the soldiers engaged with them.
Hagari went on to say that his forces didn’t know Sinwar was hiding there but they continued to operate in the region.
The man, who was later identified as Sinwar, “ran alone into one of the buildings”, he added.
Video of Sinwar’s last moments
The IDF has also released a drone video that appeared to show Sinwar, apparently severely injured, sitting in an armchair in a ruined apartment, wearing a keffiyeh and battle fatigues. As he watches the drone, he throws an object at it.
Raw footage of Yahya Sinwar’s last moments: pic.twitter.com/GJGDlu7bie
— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) October 17, 2024
Iran says ‘spirit of resistance’ strengthened
Iran’s mission to the UN in a post on X said the circumstances of Sinwar’s death will strengthen the “spirit of resistance”.
“When US forces dragged a disheveled Saddam Hussein out of an underground hole, he begged them not to kill him despite being armed. Those who regarded Saddam as their model of resistance eventually collapsed,” the post read.
“However, when Muslims look up to Martyr Sinwar standing on the battlefield—in combat attire and out in the open, not in a hideout, facing the enemy—the spirit of resistance will be strengthened,” the post further read.
‘Sinwar will become model for Palestinian youth & children’
Iran went on to say that Sinwar will become a “model for the youth and children who will carry forward his path toward the liberation of Palestine."
“As long as occupation and aggression exist, resistance will endure, for the martyr remains alive and a source of inspiration,” the post by Iran’s mission to the UN stated.
‘A blow to evil’
Reacting to Sinwar’s elimination by his troops, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the war with Hamas is still not over and that “evil” had been “dealt a blow”.
“He (Sinwar) told you he was a lion, but in reality, he was hiding in a dark den, and he was killed when he fled in a panic from our soldiers,” Netanyahu said in a televised message announcing Sinwar’s death.
Sinwar didn’t die as a commander
Meanwhile, Israel’ defence minister Yoav Gallant said: “Sinwar died while beaten, persecuted and on the run, he didn’t die as a commander, but as someone who only cared for himself. This is a clear message to all of our enemies."
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
