Khalil al-Hayya, the deputy head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, confirmed on Friday that the Battle engaged leader of the movement Yahya Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces earlier this week on the battlefield, saying Sinwar’s martyrdom “will only increase our movement and resistance.”
In a televised address, al-Hayya confirmed the Israeli army’s announcement on Thursday that Sinwar was killed.
“The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas mourns the martyr leader Yahya Sinwar for the Arab and Islamic nations,” Al-Hayya said.
Al-Haya added: “Sinwar rose as a heroic martyr, engaging and confronting the occupation army until the last moment of his life.”
“[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.”
“The martyrdom of Yahya Sinwar will only increase our movement and resistance in strength and resilience. A movement that presents its leaders and sons as martyrs is deeply rooted in its people and is striving to achieve its goals.”
Al-Haya stated that Israeli captives held in Gaza will not return until Israel stops its attacks on Gaza and withdraws its forces from the besieged enclave.
“The Israeli 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.”
