IDF Soldiers Recount Close Call That Led to Sinwar's Elimination
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
IDF soldiers involved in the operation that led to the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar are speaking for the first time two years later. The operation began as a pursuit of a terrorist cell in Gaza and escalated into a significant IDF success. Soldiers recounted the intense battle, the discovery of Sinwar's identity through intelligence and drone footage, and the eventual confirmation of his death.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- IDF soldiers detailed the two-year-old operation that eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza.
- The operation began as a pursuit of a terrorist cell and became a major IDF success.
- Soldiers described intense fighting, including tank fire and drone surveillance, to neutralize the target.
- Intelligence and drone footage were crucial in identifying the neutralized individual as Sinwar.
- The soldiers expressed surprise at finding unexploded grenades on Sinwar.
Two years after the elimination of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas and architect of the October 7th massacre, soldiers involved in the operation are speaking for the first time about the events. The operation, which began as a pursuit of a terrorist cell in the Tel Sultan neighborhood of Gaza, turned into a major operational success for the IDF.
The operation commenced on the evening of Sukkot, approximately a year and ten days after October 7th. A small force from the 450th Battalion and other infantry units engaged in a nearly 24-hour pursuit of a cell. After eliminating one terrorist, they discovered they had apprehended a high-value target.
Major M, then Deputy Battalion Commander of the 450th Battalion, described how initial reports of a person entering a house led to the discovery of recent footprints. "The doubt ended here, there are people here, this area is alive, there are terrorists here," he stated. The ensuing battle involved intense fire from tanks and terrorists, resulting in one soldier being wounded before the IDF forces entered the house.
Major Y, a Company Commander in the Kfir Brigade of the 450th Battalion, recounted using a drone to identify a suspicious figure on the second floor. After firing a shell into the house, a drone captured footage of an individual, appearing injured and exhausted, sitting on a chair. The forces continued to engage him until he was neutralized.
Sergeant First Class A (res.), a Knot Operator for the Paratroopers Company Commander in the 450th Battalion, mentioned that a tank eliminated another terrorist during the night. The next morning, a search of the body revealed significant amounts of cash and identification documents that were passed to intelligence.
Later, intelligence from the brigade and the Shin Bet indicated a strong possibility that the neutralized individual was Sinwar. Soldiers entered the house to confirm his identity, and after further verification by special forces, it was confirmed that they had eliminated Yahya Sinwar. The soldiers expressed surprise at the unexploded grenades Sinwar had apparently carried.
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