Israel and Hamas: Killing of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Oct. 18, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IN12446 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Jim Zanotti; Jeremy M. Sharp |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on October 17 that Israel’s military killed top
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Hamas is a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization supported by Iran.
Sinwar, who helped mastermind the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault on Israel, was reportedly killed in
a firefight in Rafah on October 16. He had been Hamas’s overall political leader since August 2024, and
had led Hamas in Gaza since 2017.
With much of Hamas’s top leadership killed, which Hamas figures (either within or outside of Gaza)
might succeed Sinwar could have repercussions for the hostages remaining in Gaza and the continuation
or end of conflict. Netanyahu stated that “our mission is not yet completed” and that Israel would not kill
those who release hostages and stop fighting. President Joe Biden said Sinwar’s death presents an
opportunity for “a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added that with the removal of Sinwar, who was widely known
for his hardline views among Hamas leaders, one “massive obstacle” to a cease-fire is gone. Several
Members of Congress publicly stated that they regard Sinwar’s death as a positive step for the region.
Developments related to Sinwar’s death may have broader significance for the region and U.S. policy.
Many of the other Iran-backed groups engaged in ongoing conflict with Israel—particularly Lebanese
Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen—have linked prospects for de-escalation to the end of Israeli
military operations in Gaza in some form. Such developments may also affect the tenor of direct IsraelIran conflict, which both governments appeared willing to escalate prior to Netanyahu’s October 17
announcement.
