Photo Credit: Said Khatib/AFP/Getty
In a recent autopsy, authorities confirmed that Yahya Sinwar, the prominent Hamas leader, was killed by a gunshot wound to the head during a targeted operation conducted by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in southern Gaza.
The findings shed light on the circumstances surrounding Sinwar’s death and provide crucial information regarding the ongoing conflict in the region.
Dr. Chen Kugel, the chief pathologist at Israel’s National Center of Forensic Medicine, carried out the autopsy. He revealed that while Sinwar sustained multiple injuries, including those from a tank shell, the gunshot wound was the fatal injury.
“The examination clearly showed that the primary cause of death was a gunshot to the head, consistent with extensive trauma to the facial area,” Kugel stated.
Sinwar’s body was located in the Tel al-Sultan area of Rafah by the IDF’s 828 Brigade, who conducted a meticulous ground operation after first neutralizing potential threats with a tank shell strike.
Following the recovery of the body, Israeli forces faced challenges in positively identifying Sinwar.
Initial identification efforts using dental records were inconclusive, leading to the decision to obtain a DNA sample.
In a controversial yet necessary step, Israeli soldiers severed a finger from the deceased for DNA analysis.
We Compared It With Sinwar’s Prison Profile, Says Dr. Chen Kugel
Authorities matched the DNA profile with records from Sinwar’s previous imprisonment in Israel, where he served for two decades before his release in a 2011 prisoner exchange.
Dr. Kugel confirmed the process, asserting, “After the laboratory made the profile, we compared it with the profile that Sinwar had in the term that he was serving here as a prisoner, so then we could finally identify him by his DNA.”
Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media depict the moments following the IDF’s operation, with footage showing troops examining the scene and the body believed to be Sinwar’s.
Notably, initial images appeared to show the body with all fingers intact, raising questions regarding the subsequent removal of the finger for verification purposes.
As the dust settles from this high-stakes operation, the implications of Sinwar’s death extend beyond the immediate tactical outcomes.
His leadership had significant influence within Hamas, particularly in orchestrating the 7 October 2023, attacks on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 fatalities.
As Hamas navigates this leadership transition, the organization may face challenges in maintaining cohesion and strategic direction amidst ongoing hostilities in the region.
Also Read: Yahya Sinwar’s Elimination Marks A ‘Good Day’ For Israel: President Biden
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