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Israel kills Hamas Chief Sinwar in Gaza
Israel announced on Thursday the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, mastermind of the October 7 attack, calling his death a “heavy blow” to the Palestinian group it has been fighting for more than a year.
The Israeli military said that “after a year-long pursuit”, troops “eliminated Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the Hamas terrorist organisation, in an operation in the southern Gaza Strip” on Wednesday.
Hamas has not confirmed his death.
While the war was “not over yet”, Netanyahu said Sinwar’s death was an “important landmark in the decline of the evil rule of Hamas”.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Sinwar was a “mass murderer… responsible for the massacre and atrocities of October 7”, while President Isaac Herzog hailed the killing of the militant leader behind “heinous acts of terrorism”.
Israel accuses Sinwar of masterminding the deadliest attack in Israeli history, and had been hunting him down since the start of the Gaza war.
He rose through the ranks of the Palestinian militant group to become first its leader in Gaza, then its overall head after the killing in July of political chief Ismail Haniyeh.
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.
A slew of other Iran-backed militant commanders have also been killed in recent months.
With Hamas massively weakened more than a year into the Gaza war, Sinwar’s death could deal a seismic blow to the organisation.
US President Joe Biden, whose government is Israel’s top arms provider, said: “This is a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world.”
“There is now the opportunity for a ‘day after’ in Gaza without Hamas in power, and for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
Calls for hostage release
Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi said that “we are settling the score with Sinwar, who is responsible for that very difficult day a year ago”, vowing to keep fighting “until we capture all the terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre and bring all the hostages home”.
Israel’s Katz said Sinwar’s death could “lead to a new reality in Gaza, one that is without Hamas”.
People dance and wave Israeli national flags as they celebrate the news of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, in the Israeli costal city of Netanya, on October 17, 2024. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
The Israeli military earlier said it was checking whether Sinwar was one of three militants killed in an operation in Gaza, with an Israeli security official telling AFP that a DNA test was conducted.
Israel has been at war with Hamas since the October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed 42,438 people, the majority civilians, according to data from the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, which the UN considers reliable.
Following the attack, Netanyahu vowed to crush Hamas and bring home all 251 hostages seized by militants in their cross-border onslaught. Ninety-seven remain in Gaza, including 34 Israeli officials say are dead.
Israeli military historian Guy Aviad, a Hamas expert, said Sinwar’s killing was “a significant event… but it’s not the end of the war” in either Gaza or Lebanon.
The “Hamas movement still rules the Gaza Strip” and its militants may still harm Israeli hostages who are in “grave danger”, Aviad told AFP.
Campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the Israeli government and international mediators to leverage “this major achievement to secure hostages’ return”.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock separately called on Hamas to release all hostages.
Netanyahu, in a video statement, also said Palestinian militants should free the hostages if they want to live.
“Whoever lays down his weapon and returns our hostages — we will allow him to go on living,” he said.
AFP
The Arewa Joint Action Movement (AJAM) has thrown its weight behind the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, led by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, to dissociate from what it described as “opportunistic office seekers” including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.
AJAM stressed that Nigeria’s political terrain must be guided by integrity and purpose, not by a desire for power at all costs.
In a statement by the Coordinator of AJAM, Barnabas Musa, noted that Nigeria’s political terrain must be guided by integrity and purpose, not by a desire for power at all costs.
Musa, described the PDP governors’ position as a “bold and commendable step” toward safeguarding Nigeria’s political integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He criticized the political maneuverings of those he called “transient political actors” within the opposition coalition, accusing them of chasing personal gain rather than national progress.
He said: “The members of the opposition alliance, characterized by their transient political ambitions, have consistently shown themselves to be more concerned with personal gain than with the needs and aspirations of the common man.
“The Arewa Joint Action Movement firmly believes that the political landscape should be navigated with integrity and purpose. Unfortunately, the individuals in this opposition coalition have proven to be nothing more than political opportunists and job seekers, feeding off the goodwill of the populace while offering little more than empty promises and deceptive rhetoric.
“Their dubious political agendas are not rooted in the genuine desire to uplift our communities or address the pressing issues facing our nation, but rather in a quest for power and influence at any cost.
“As we look ahead to the 2027 presidential elections, it is imperative that we remain vigilant against those who seek to destabilize our country for their own gain. The electorate has grown increasingly discerning, and we are confident that they will reject any attempts by these opportunists to manipulate their hopes and aspirations.
“The Nigerian people deserve leaders who prioritize their welfare and work tirelessly to create a brighter future for all citizens, rather than those who exploit their struggles for political leverage.
“We commend Governor Bala Mohammed and the PDP Governors Forum for their principled stance and urge them to continue advocating for policies that enhance the lives of our people.
“The Arewa Joint Action Movement stands ready to support initiatives that promote unity, progress, and genuine democratic values. Together, we can build a Nigeria that reflects the hopes and dreams of its citizens, free from the shackles of political opportunism.”
The group also called on citizens to reject “the politics of deception and self-interest” and unite for a just, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.
Former CPC leaders, once part of Nigeria’s defunct Congress for Progressive Change, reaffirmed their genuine commitment and unwavering loyalty to the APC.
The meeting was attended by prominent figures, whose declare their support to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), former Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, Hon. Aliyu Adamu Farouk, Osita Okechukwu, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, Yusuf Salihu, Capt. Bala Jubrin, Uche Oferoh, Hon. Ayuba Bulama.
Both Al-Makura and Masari were instrumental in the CPC’s legacy and its subsequent merger into the APC. Their continued presence at the meeting and political involvement are seen as critical to maintaining the ideological balance and structural stability within the party.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
A former Federal Commissioner with the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Dr. Abdulmalik Mohammed Durunguwa, has declared that he would transform Southern Kaduna to surpass America in development if given the opportunity.
Durunguwa, who was also a former governorship aspirant in Kaduna State, made the statement on Wednesday when members of the Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Malali, Kaduna.
He reiterated his commitment to the progress and unity of Southern Kaduna, calling on the people to set aside religious, political, and ethnic differences to work for the region’s development.
“Let us come together as one. No matter the political party, religion, or tribe, let’s make Southern Kaduna great,” he said.
He also stressed the need for grassroots engagement in tackling insecurity, noting that a lack of coordination among residents often leads to security breakdowns.
“If you leave people in a community without coordination and direction, there will always be security challenges,” he stated.
He cited his personal peace-building efforts in his hometown of Laduga as a model, saying regular engagements with traditional rulers, youths, and local vigilantes had yielded positive results.
“Whenever I visit Laduga, I meet with village heads, local security teams, and youths to discuss strategies. Today, I can proudly say that Laduga stands out as one of the most peaceful communities in Southern Kaduna,” he said.
Durunguwa urged other influential personalities from the region to join hands in finding lasting solutions to insecurity and underdevelopment.