Word Association (2024)

[Social Media]

 

Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that Yahya Sinwar, the senior leader of Hamas in Gaza, was killed in southern Gaza on Wednesday. The announcement followed Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz’s message to world leaders, claiming Sinwar was eliminated that day, although the timing discrepancy remains unclear. According to an IDF statement, "Yahya Sinwar was eliminated after hiding for the past year behind the civilian population of Gaza, both above and below ground in Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip."

 

 

The loss of Yahya Sinwar marks a significant blow to Hamas, as he was seen as a key figure in both its military and political operations. Sinwar, who replaced Ismail Haniyeh as leader of Hamas' political wing after Haniyeh's assassination on July 31, was considered one of the group's most uncompromising leaders. Hamas has faced the systematic elimination of its leadership, its fighters being killed, and its weapons stores destroyed in a conflict that has decimated Gaza. Now, the group must decide whether to seek an end to the prolonged Israeli military operation that has taken a severe toll on the region.

 

Last known Images of Sinwar in a Tunnel Hiding.

Spotted: Yahya Sinwar running away and hiding in his underground terrorist tunnel network as Gazan civilians suffer above ground under the rule of Hamas terrorism.

There is no tunnel deep enough for him to hide in. pic.twitter.com/KLjisBFq1f

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 13, 2024

 

President Isaac Herzog praised the Israeli military for its operation, stating that Sinwar was "responsible for heinous acts of terrorism against Israeli civilians, citizens of other countries, and the murder of thousands of innocent people." Herzog emphasized that Sinwar’s legacy was one of violence and instability, saying, "His evil endeavours were dedicated to terror, bloodshed, and destabilizing the Middle East."

 

Herzog also used this moment to renew Israel's call for the release of 101 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, reiterating that Sinwar’s death highlights the urgency of this issue. "Now, more than ever, we must act in every way possible to bring back the 101 hostages who are still being held in horrific conditions by Hamas terrorists in Gaza," he declared.

 

Sinwar's death is seen as the most significant strategic setback for Hamas since the conflict began. Having been released from Israeli prison in 2011, Sinwar rose through the ranks to hold immense control over both the political and military aspects of Hamas, leaving a leadership vacuum that will be difficult to fill. His absence is expected to further strain Hamas as it struggles to recover from the relentless pressure of Israeli forces.

 

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant referenced scripture while commenting on Sinwar’s death, quoting Leviticus 26: "You will pursue your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword." Gallant added, "Our enemies cannot hide. We will pursue and eliminate them."

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, asserting that Sinwar's death reinforced Israel's decision to continue its military operations. "This killing shows why Israel insisted on not ending the war," he stated, vowing that the fighting would persist until all hostages were freed.

 

International reactions followed, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledging Sinwar as "the leader of the terrorist group Hamas" and the "mastermind behind the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust." Starmer expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, stating, "The UK will not mourn his death."

 

Speaking to the BBC, an IDF spokesperson, Major Doron Spielman, provided further details on how Sinwar was killed. According to Spielman, IDF forces had been conducting operations in Rafah, narrowing down Hamas leaders' movements through tunnel destruction and street closures. Sinwar, forced to move, made a critical error. "He left the tunnel, went into an apartment building, and [Hamas] opened fire on Israeli troops. A tank returned fire, and he was killed in that attack," Spielman explained.

 

Based on a report from the BBC | X 2024-10-18

 

 

 

[mdr224]

Na na na na hey hey hey goodbyeee

[Bkk Brian]

Waiting for the UN to announce a day of mourning, their address book must be getting smaller and smaller with all these terrorists being eliminated...

 

“The UK will not mourn his death”. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a statement following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. He says Sinwar was the “mastermind behind the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust.”

 

https://x.com/AvivaKlompas/status/1847041504235475214

 

[Yagoda]

He died like a dog, running away.  We need to get this stuff over, come on IDF, do Iran next.

[coolcarer]

Amazing cctv footage of his last few seconds of life. A drone captured him sitting on a chair seriously wounded with his hand blown off. He throws a piece of wood at the drone. The snake is dead. 

 

[impulse]

Pleased as I am that they took the guy out, let's see if the guy replacing him is even worse...

 

I certainly hope not, but I can't imagine that a reasonable person would be able to crawl to the top of that heap.

 

[Patong2021]

Maybe the other militants will learn from this. The man knew his time was up. He chose to engage with the IDF ,firing at the engineers clearing the tunnels and he gave his position away.

 

This clearly vindicates the Israel strategy of staying the course and going through the tunnels, searching and destroying them. Had Israel caved to the pressure, Hamas would have regrouped in the North and continued its war with Israel.

 

Now it is up to the Hamas leadership secure in their Qatari luxury villas, to decide if they will continue the war or not. They can end it immediately with the release of the hostages. If not, the war continues.

[impulse]

20 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

They can end it immediately with the release of the hostages. If not, the war continues.

 

You're deluded if you think this ends with the release of the hostages.  It won't end until Israel kills every Hamas member who participated in the planning or execution of Oct 7. 

 

The question is, in killing hundreds (thousands?), will they create 10's of thousands of newly minted terrorists by also killing innocent family members as collateral damage? 

 

My forecast?  In 50 years, Israel will still be fighting someone posing an existential threat, and in 75 years, and in 100 years.