On October 16, 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a significant military operation in Rafah, Gaza, targeting Yahya Sinwar, a high-ranking military leader of Hamas. Sinwar was known for his involvement in orchestrating attacks against Israel and his strategic use of tunnel warfare.
Incident Timeline:
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Initial Surveillance:
At around 10:00 AM on October 16, a soldier from the IDF’s Bislamach Brigade observed a suspicious figure moving in and out of a building in Rafah’s Tel Al Sultan neighborhood. The soldier immediately reported this to his battalion commander, who assessed the situation as a potential threat.
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Engagement with Militants:
Following the assessment, the commander ordered the troops to open fire on the identified structure, leading to a relentless exchange of gunfire with the militants inside. Throughout the day, IDF tanks and fighting vehicles engaged the targets, firing shells at both buildings, which ultimately led to their destruction.
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Identification of Sinwar:
Around 3:00 PM, a drone operation spotted three individuals attempting to escape from the building, utilizing nearby structures for cover. As two figures positioned themselves to shield the third, it became apparent that one of them was high value target. The IDF initially targeted the first building where Sinwar’s bodyguards were located, neutralizing them before turning their attention to the second structure, where Sinwar had taken refuge.
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Intensifying Combat:
Sinwar attempted to evade capture by moving to the second floor of the building. During this time, he threw two grenades at advancing IDF soldiers, causing them to temporarily retreat for safety. A drone was deployed to assess the situation, capturing footage of Sinwar, who was identified as a man with an injured arm and a covered face.
Raw footage of Yahya Sinwar’s last moments: pic.twitter.com/GJGDlu7bie
— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) October 17, 2024
Destruction of the Building: In response to Sinwar’s actions, IDF forces fired another tank shell at his location, resulting in partial destruction of the building. Sinwar was ultimately trapped under the rubble. The IDF was unaware that the target was Sinwar at that moment, and further strikes were ordered based on the drone’s observations.
Confirmation of Death:
It wasn’t until the following day, October 17, that IDF troops arrived at the scene to confirm the identity of the individual killed. Due to concerns about potential booby traps, the soldiers retrieved a portion of Sinwar’s finger and sent it to Israel for DNA testing.
- Following a thorough inspection of the area, the IDF successfully extracted Sinwar’s remains for further examination.
Sinwar’s Background and Military Strategy:
- Yahia Sinwar was born in the Khan Younis refugee camp in Gaza in 1962. After the assassination of previous Hamas leaders, he became a prominent figure in Gaza’s military command.
- Sinwar was known for implementing advanced tunneling techniques for military operations, investing significant resources to fortify underground tunnels used by Hamas.
- He played a crucial role in the October 7 terrorist attack, planning a coordinated attack on Israeli communities using a mix of rockets, motorcycles, and other vehicles.
- During his 22 years in prison, he learned Hebrew and studied IDF strategies, enhancing his military capabilities.
Operational Insights:
- The IDF utilized a significant number of infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) equipped with high-caliber guns and missiles during the operation.
- The Merkava tanks were deployed for both heavy firepower and precision strikes, equipped with countermeasures like the Trophy system to protect against incoming threats.
Conclusion:
The successful operation against Yahya Sinwar marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, highlighting the IDF’s efforts to neutralize key militant leaders and the complexities of urban warfare in densely populated areas.