[7] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the killing of Sinwar "settled the score", but warned the war would continue with full force until Israel's hostages were returned.

[23] He also drew Iran and other members of the Axis of Resistance, including Hezbollah—whose capabilities have significantly diminished due to Israeli actions—along with the Houthi movement and Iraqi militias, into direct conflict with Israel.

[37] The Israeli security establishment was reportedly aware for months that Sinwar was hiding in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah, although his precise location remained unknown.

[39][40] The United States said that it assisted in gathering intelligence that aided the IDF in narrowing down its search for Sinwar but denied any involvement in the operation that killed him.

[47] On 16 October 2024, at approximately 10:00 am, IDF troops noticed a suspicious figure entering and exiting a building in their vicinity, after which an order was given to engage.

[48][49][40] Following the incident, troops discovered a body that had a striking resemblance to Sinwar, dressed in military fatigues, with a grenade and a gun,[51] while assessing the collapsed building where the exchange occurred.

[40] Additional items found on his person included 40,000 shekels (NIS) in cash,[40] a lighter and a passport unrelated to him, which belonged to a UNRWA teacher.

[40] Initial reports indicated that DNA, dental, and fingerprint tests would be conducted for formal identification, as the IDF holds Sinwar's records from his time in prison.

[57] Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, which also published photographs of the body, confirmed that Israel's forensic police unit made a full match with Sinwar's dental records.

[60][61] The Associated Press described Sinwar's death as a "dramatic turning point" in the war, stating that the killing "decapitates the Palestinian militant group that was already reeling from months of assassinations up and down its ranks", and called it "a potent symbolic achievement for Israel in its battle to destroy Hamas.

"[62] The CEO of the Israel Policy Forum, David Halperin, and the president of J Street, Jeremy Ben Ami, predicted that Sinwar's killing was an opportunity to return the hostages and de-escalate the situation.

[65] The Economist reported that following the death of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas faces internal struggles regarding its power dynamics and ideological direction.

The outcomes of these struggles, according to the report, will significantly impact Hamas's future, either leaning toward a path of moderation or increased Iranian-backed extremism.

[66] Following Sinwar's death, the IDF released images and drone footage depicting him wounded and slumped in a chair, aiming to portray him as a fugitive.

One supporter remarked that the footage "shows not defeat but defiance", as Sinwar attempted to throw a stick at the drone with his one good arm.

Iran's mission to the United Nations contrasted Sinwar's final actions with those of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, whom it described as having "begged" for his life when captured by American forces in 2003.

Beverley Milton-Edwards, a senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, noted that "those images of Sinwar have already entered the pantheon of Hamas and other militant groups", likely leading to increased support and recruitment.

Some critics suggested a more restrained approach would have been wise, akin to the U.S. decision not to release images of Osama bin Laden's body.

Michael Milshtein, a former head of Palestinian civilian affairs for the Israeli military, remarked, "Maybe an announcement is enough, or a single, more generic photo.

[69] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Sinwar's death as "the beginning of the day after Hamas," vowing that the group will no longer rule Gaza.

"[70] Netanyahu warned Hamas militants that their leaders are fleeing and will be eliminated, stating that those who release hostages will be spared, but severe consequences await anyone who harms them.

He highlighted that Sinwar's death underscores the importance of Israel's continued efforts, particularly the operation in Rafah, where key Hamas leaders had been hiding, and emphasized the opportunity to stop the "axis of evil" and build a better future.

"[8][9] The Israeli new shekel appreciated by 0.75% against the dollar and 1.4% against the euro on the foreign exchange market on 17 October following reports of Sinwar's death, reflecting investor response to the event.

They urged Israeli and US leaders to capitalize on this military success by negotiating an immediate deal for the hostages' release, stressing that true victory can only be achieved when all the captives are safely returned.