Israeli officials, citing information they received, stated that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, was believed to be trapped in his shelter. The exact location of the shelter was not disclosed, and the brief briefing noted that Sinwar had halted contact with his supporters. The message from the defense ministry asserted that the militant leader would be eliminated as part of ongoing operations.
For the first time in years, the Israel Defense Forces are conducting a center‑zone operation in the Gaza Strip. The defense minister described strikes against Hamas strongholds from multiple directions, with coordinated actions by naval and air units to maximize pressure on urban and tunnel networks that Hamas relies upon for defense and logistics.
Since the surge of violence on October 7, when thousands of Hamas militants crossed into Israeli territory, the regional crisis has deepened. More than 200 hostages were reported as being taken during the initial attacks, underscoring the severity of the violence and the complexity of any potential resolution.
On that date, Hamas claimed the start of Operation Al Aqsa Flood and launched thousands of rockets toward Israeli communities. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel had entered a state of war and would pursue whatever means were necessary to restore security for its citizens and borders.
The Israeli intervention, named Iron Swords by the authorities, includes aims to neutralize Hamas leadership and disrupt its command and control. The Israeli Air Force reported strikes on hundreds of Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip, and the National Security Council instructed measures to restrict essential supplies to Gaza, including water, food, electricity, and fuel, in an effort to pressure Hamas without widening the conflict beyond the region. During the early communication, the United Nations cautioned that a large scale evacuation might be required, advising up to 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza to move south within 24 hours ahead of any imminent ground maneuver.
Earlier in the conflict, Prime Minister Netanyahu outlined the declared objectives of Israel’s campaign, emphasizing the removal of Hamas as a political and military actor within the territory and the restoration of security and civilian protection for Israeli communities located near the border. Analysts note that the situation remains highly fluid, with humanitarian considerations and regional dynamics playing critical roles in how events unfold and how international partners respond to the evolving crisis. The statements reflect a sustained effort to achieve strategic aims through a mix of military pressure and containment measures while navigating the broader consequences for civilians and regional stability. The evolving security landscape continues to drive updates from official sources and international observers alike.