Sinwar was killed accidentally: Here's how IDF troops who didn't have intel about Hamas chief neutralised him

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, on Thursday (Oct 17) revealed that his troops did not have intel that they would run into Hamas chief, Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in a Gaza building, alongside two other militants. 

Halevi, speaking from ground zero where the operation took place, stated that his soldiers maintained professionalism and got the job done to neutralise the mastermind of the October 7 attacks despite not having any intel. 

“Look, we have done many special forces operations in this war, where he had excellent information, we sent prepared troops with instructions where to go,” said Halevi. 

“Here, we didn’t know. and the response is very strong, its not weak. It's your professionalism, and determination, and the precise identification and the awareness," the IDF chief of staff added, who was joined by Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, IDF Southern Command head Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, Head of the Operations Directorate Maj. Gen. Oded Basyuk, and Gaza Division commander Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram.

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The only piece of intel

According to the joint statement by the IDF and Shin Bet, over the last few weeks, the 162nd Division and Gaza Division had been operating in Gaza in areas where intelligence indicated that senior Hamas officials were hiding. 

That was the only piece of intel IDF troops had when a force from the 828th Bislamach Brigade saw several Hamas militants entering a building during the operation. Consequently, they persuaded them which led to the ultimate kill. 

After recovering the body, the IDF issued a statement saying it needed some time to confirm the identity. Sinwar’s body was brought to Israel for DNA analysis as his data and other biometric information were stored from his time in prison there. According to a report by news agency AFP, the IDF also ran dental checks which returned positive identification. 

“The mass murderer Yahya Sinwar, who is responsible for the massacre and atrocities of October 7, was killed today by IDF soldiers,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement. 

“This is a great military and moral achievement for Israel and a victory for the entire free world against the evil axis of radical Islam led by Iran,” he added. 

Also read | ‘Mass murderer’ and ‘Oct 7 attacks architect’ Yahya Sinwar killed by IDF, confirms Israel

Israel's announcement on Sinwar comes weeks after it assassinated Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in a massive strike in Lebanon, where the Israeli military has been at war since late September. 

Prior to that, Israel had also assassinated Sinwar's predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh in a bomb strike at a Tehran guest house in July. 

(With inputs from agencies)

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