Hamas confirms 'fallen martyr' Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza combat with Israeli forces

Hamas has now confirmed that their leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in combat with Israeli forces in Gaza, and said he died defending Palestine until the last moments of his life.

In a televised address, Khalil Hayya, a high-ranking Hamas official who has represented the Palestinian militant group in negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage exchange deal, called Yahya Sinwar a 'fallen martyr'.

Also read: LIVE | Yahya Sinwar killed: Israel releases video of Hamas leader's last moments 

Holy fighter

Describing him as “steadfast, brave and intrepid”, Hayya said Sinwar “sacrificed his life to the cause of our liberation”.

Further, he added that Yahya had met his end standing brave, with his head held high, holding his firearm, firing until the last breath, until the last moment of his life, said Hayya.

“Sinwar has lived his whole life as a holy fighter. Since his early days, he was engaged in his struggle as a resistant fighter. He stood defiant behind Israeli bars and after his release in a swapped deal, he continued with his struggle and his dedication to the cause,” he added.

Howver, Hayya added that Sinwar’s “martyrdom” and the leaders who preceded him “will only increase the strength and resilience of our movement”.

“The occupation prisoners will not return unless the aggression on Gaza stops, there is a complete withdrawal from [Gaza], and our prisoners are released from the prisons,” Hayya said.

“Hamas will continue until the establishment of the Palestinian state on all Palestinian soil with Jerusalem as its capital.”

Also read: If Hamas surrenders, war can end tomorrow, says Netanyahu 

Moment of justice: Biden

Meanwhile, in Berlin, Biden said, Sinwar’s killing is a “moment of justice” and “an opportunity to seek a path to peace” in Gaza. Sinwar has “the blood of Americans and Israelis, Palestinians and Germans and so many others on his hands”, he added.

The US president further said he had told Netanyahu to “also make this moment an opportunity to seek a path to peace, a better future in Gaza without Hamas”.

Also watch: One year of Israel-Hamas war: Unless big powers intervene, it will go on