Gaza – Palestinian resistance group Hamas has lost four out of its five leaders to Israeli attacks, with the latest being Yahya Sinwar, who was martyred on October 16.
The string of assassinations began in March 2004 when Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Just a month later, his successor Abdul Aziz al-Rantisi met the same fate.
In July, Israeli forces targeted the residence of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was attending the Iranian president’s inauguration ceremony in Tehran, martyring him.
Yahya Sinwar took over as Hamas leader after Haniyeh’s martyrdom but was also killed by Israeli forces on October 16.
Hamas confirmed Sinwar’s martyrdom, with deputy leader Khalil al-Hayya stating that he fought bravely against Israeli forces.
The only surviving Hamas leader from the 2004-2017 era is Khaled Meshaal, who is currently based in Qatar.
Israel has also targeted other key Hamas leaders, including Saleh al-Arouri, who was martyred in a drone attack in Beirut in January this year.
In January 1996, Israeli forces martyred Hamas military leader Yahya Ayyash in Gaza.
