Yahya Sinwar, considered to be the mastermind of the October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war in Gaza between Israel and the militant group Hamas, was killed in what the Israeli Army called a military "operation."
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Sinwar's death in a post on X on October 17, leaving Iran-backed Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union, without a leader for the second time in less than three months.
It also represents a major boost to the Israeli military and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been under pressure from many allies, including the United States, for the rising number of civilian casualties in Gaza as a result of the war, and accusations that Israel has been hindering aid supplies to the territory, where hundreds of thousands are living in a growing humanitarian crisis.
"Eliminated: Yahya Sinwar," the IDF said in its post, giving no further details.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also confirmed Sinwar had been killed, calling it a "victory for the entire free world."
SEE ALSO: Who Was Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar?Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also confirmed Sinwar had been killed, calling it a "victory for the entire free world" and "an opportunity for the immediate release of the hostages and paves the way for a change that will lead to a new reality in Gaza."
Earlier the IDF said three "terrorists were eliminated" in a military operation, but that "there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the area" where the operations took place.
Hamas has not officially commented on the reports.
U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement that DNA tests had confirmed Sinwar is dead.
"This is a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world," he said. "As the leader of the terrorist group Hamas, Sinwar was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Israelis, Palestinians, Americans, and citizens from over 30 countries."
Biden said it was on Sinwar's orders that Hamas militants invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, and committed "massacres, rapes, and kidnappings."
Vice President Kamala Harris also commented on the death of Sinwar, saying Hamas is no longer capable of carrying out another October 7 and "gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza."
Sinwar replaced Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in a suspected Israeli strike in a Tehran suburb on July 31.
Sinwar was previously the head of Hamas's armed wing and widely seen as the mastermind of the group's October 7 attack that killed some 1,200 Israelis. Some 240 others were taken hostage. He was believed to be hiding in Gaza.
While Israel has not claimed responsibility for some of the deaths of senior Hamas officials, it has admitted to killing others, including Saleh al-Arouriand Mohammed Deif, the movement's military commander.
SEE ALSO: What Is THAAD And Why Is The U.S. Deploying It To Israel?Some analysts and diplomats said Sinwar's death may offer an opportunity for Netanyahu to halt Israel's campaign in Gaza.
"I hope that the disappearance of the Hamas leader will lead to a cease-fire in Gaza," Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.
The Republican speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, said Sinwar's death should bring "relief" to Israel.
On October 15, the United States, Israel's biggest ally, threatened to cut some military assistance if the Israeli government did not boost humanitarian aid access to Gaza within 30 days.
In the letter, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Washington noted its "deep concern" about "the deteriorating humanitarian situation" in the region, accusing Israel of impeding almost 90 percent of the humanitarian aid being transported within Gaza in September.
The war in Gaza has spilled over into Lebanon, where another Iran-backed group, Hezbollah, has been battling Israeli forces as well.
Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union blacklists its armed wing but not its political party. Hezbollah's political party has seats in the Lebanese parliament.