Yahya Sinwar death live updates: Netanyahu vows Gaza war ‘not over’ after Israel kills Hamas chief

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: Benny Gantz, chairman of Israel’s National Unity Party, congratulated the Israeli military in a post on X and said, “This is an important achievement with a clear message – we will pursue our enemies to the end, anytime and anywhere."

In his message he also stated that the Israeli military would “continue to operate in the Gaza strip for years to come," signalling no end to the war after the Hama leader Sinwar's death.

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas chief, was killed by the IDF on Wednesday in Rafah, Gaza.

The elusive leader had been suspected to be hiding in tunnels underground in Gaza.

- Yahya Sinwar was born in 1962 in a Gaza refugee camp and was involved with Hamas from its early days

- Sinwar also led the group's security wing and earned the name “The Butcher of Khan Younis” after he was arrested by Israel for killing 12 suspected collaborators.

- He took over as Hamas chief after the death of Ismail Haniyeh in July, 2024

- Sinwar, along with Mohammed Deif, a Hamas commander, is believed to have orchestrated the attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis.

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: A statement from Hezbollah has said that they have started to use new precision-guided missiles and explosive drones for the first time.

The statement appears to refer to a drone laden with explosives that evaded Israel’s multi-layered air-defense system and slammed into a mess hall at a military training camp deep inside Israel, killing four soldiers and wounding dozens.

The group also announced earlier this week that it fired a new type of missile called Qader 2 toward the suburbs of Tel Aviv.

Hezbollah said its fighters are working according to “plans prepared in advance” to battle invading Israeli troops in several parts of south Lebanon.

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari released a video statement on the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar on X.

In his statement he said, “Since the beginning of this war that Sinwar started on October 7 — we’ve said: Our war is with Hamas, not the people of Gaza. We mean it.”

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: Iran's UN mission released a statement saying that Yahya Sinwar was a model for youth and children.

“He will become a model for the youth and children who will carry forth his path for the liberation of Palestine. As long as occupation and aggression exist, resistance will endure, for the martyr remains alive and a source of inspiration,” they said.

They also stated, “However when Muslims look up to martyr Sinwar standing on the battlefield — in combat attire and out in the open, not in a hideout, facing the enemy — the spirit of resistance will be strengthened.”

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: President Joe Biden after landing in Germany, told reporters that he is sending secretary of state Anthony Blinken to Israel as part of the US' mediation efforts to end the war.

“Now is the time to move on. Move on, move toward to a cease-fire in Gaza," he said.

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: US vice president Kamala Harris commented on the death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, stating that “justice has been served”.

In a post on X she said, “Today, Israel confirmed that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas is dead, and justice has been served. The United States, Israel, and the entire world are better off as a result... He had American blood on his hands. Today, I can only hope that the families of the victims of Hamas feel a sense and measure of relief.”

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: The gunfight which led to the death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, was not planned, unlike other strikes targeted to root out leaders of the militant organisation.

Sinwar was found by infantry soldiers from the Bislach Brigade, a unit that normally trains future unit commanders, while they were searching an area in southern Gaza for Hamas soldiers.

The troops saw three suspected militants moving between buildings and opened fire, after which they also used missiles and tank shells on the building where Sinwar and two others took shelter.

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: US president Biden will be meeting German chancellor Olaf Scholz for a closed-door conversation on several issues, including conflict in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, as he closes out his term with meetings with the country's European allies.

Biden and Scholz will later meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer as they discuss developments post the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

They also intend to touch on Lebanon and Iran, as well as several other issues such as the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: The Hezbollah has stated that the conflict with Israel will “transition into a new and escalating phase” in light of the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar.

Sinwar was killed on Wednesday in Rafah during a gunfight with Israeli troops. His death is a huge blow among a series of deaths of leaders from the resistance movement.

In a video statement on Thursday, Israeli prime minister Netanyahu said, “Nasrallah is gone, his deputy Mohsen is gone, Haniyeh is gone, Deif is gone, Sinwar is gone. The reign of terror that the Iranian regime has imposed on its own people and on the peoples of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, too will come to an end.”

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: Tehran's UN mission has stated that "The spirit of resistance will be strengthened" following the death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar.

The death of the top leader was a blow to the Palestinian resistance movement which is also backed by Iran and Hezbollah.

After the death of several top leaders across countries, Israel has stated that the war will continue until all the hostages have been returned and “terrorists” captured.

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: The Israeli defence forces have released a video that shows Yahya Sinwar attempting to hit a drone while injured.

The video captures him before he dies from a gunfight with Israeli forces. Hamas has not yet commented on the death of the leader, with no clear successor present.

Sinwar was the architect of the October 7 attack on Israel, however, his death does not mark the end of the conflict.

Israeli PM Netanyahu has stated that until Hamas lays down all arms and releases the hostages it took, the war will not end.

Yahya Sinwar death live updates: On Thursday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement where he declared that the war would end if the remaining hostages in Hamas' custody were released.

The video was released to confirm the death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar on Wednesday in Rafah after Israeli forces struck him and two other people.