Israel claims that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been killed in Gaza.
What we're covering:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar signals “the beginning of the day after” for the militant group. He pledged that Israel will continue its operations in Gaza until all hostages are safely returned.
Sinwar, who had been Israel’s most wanted figure since the Hamas attack on October 7, was killed during a chance encounter. Israeli officials reported that soldiers came across Sinwar during a routine ground patrol in Rafah. Drone footage released by the Israeli military appears to show his final moments.
US President Joe Biden remarked that Sinwar’s death may create an opportunity to accelerate the release of hostages in Gaza. However, despite hopes for a potential ceasefire deal, two sources informed CNN that Israel’s actions against Iran and its proxies are considered “separate” operations. Israel is still weighing its response to Iran’s attack, while its war with Hezbollah continues in Lebanon.
On the ground, the World Health Organization reported that Israel has blocked multiple medical organizations from entering Gaza, marking the first time entire health agencies have been denied access during the conflict. A hospital director in northern Gaza reported that the facility is overwhelmed with patients and struggling with the high number of premature births caused by the stress on women due to heavy bombing.
Hamas Confirms Sinwar’s Death
From CNN’s Mostafa Salem
Hamas has officially confirmed the death of Yahya Sinwar. The confirmation came via a video statement by senior official Khalil Al Hayya. Earlier, a senior Hamas leader had acknowledged his death without mentioning him by name.
US Defense Secretary Austin: Sinwar’s Death a “Major Opportunity for Progress”
From CNN’s Christian Edwards
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has described Israel’s killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as an “extraordinary opportunity” to achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. Speaking at a NATO press briefing in Brussels, Austin called Sinwar’s death a “major achievement” and an opening for significant progress, noting that Sinwar had long obstructed peace efforts between Israelis and Palestinians. Austin emphasized that the US remains focused on securing the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
Israel Criticizes UN Chief for Not Supporting Sinwar’s Killing
From CNN’s Christian Edwards
Israeli officials have condemned UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for failing to express support for the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz criticized Guterres on X, accusing him of pursuing an "extreme anti-Israel and anti-Jewish agenda" and stating that Israel continues to regard Guterres as persona non grata. The tension escalates amid Guterres’ previous reluctance to declare Hamas a terrorist organization following the October 7 attacks.
In a separate post on X, Guterres expressed concern about Israeli attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, warning that such actions “may constitute a war crime.” Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan responded, calling Guterres “detached” and criticizing his lack of response to Sinwar’s death.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister ordered the Iranian envoy to be summoned over comments made by Iran’s parliament speaker.
"Catastrophic Situation": Northern Gaza Hospital Director Pleads for Aid Amid Overcrowding and Hunger
From CNN’s Abeer Salman and Alex Stambaugh
The director of one of the few operational hospitals in northern Gaza has reported that it is overwhelmed by the surge of patients, with staff exhausted and rapidly depleting medical supplies and food.
“This is a catastrophic situation in every sense of the word, given the lack of resources, supplies, tools, and medical equipment,” said Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, in a video message to CNN.
Abu Safiya explained that the hospital's capacity has been further strained by an Israeli airstrike on a school in the Jabalya refugee camp, which served as a shelter for displaced people. Health officials reported that the strike killed nearly 30 people, significantly increasing the demand for the intensive care unit.
“Since yesterday, no one has slept. Large numbers of people have arrived due to this massacre,” Abu Safiya said.
The hospital is also dealing with an influx of premature babies, a result of the stress and “psychological pressure” on pregnant women due to the heavy bombing in northern Gaza.
“Most of these babies are born at thirty-two or thirty-three weeks, with very low birth weights,” he added.
He called for “immediate intervention” from international institutions to secure safe passage for medical aid and food.
Deepening Crisis: The World Health Organization has stated that Israel is blocking multiple medical organizations from entering Gaza. This marks the first time that entire health agencies have been denied access to the enclave during the ongoing war.
A UN inquiry has accused Israel of pursuing a “concerted policy” to destroy Gaza's healthcare system during its conflict with Hamas, actions the inquiry said could amount to war crimes.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has directed Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib to summon the Iranian chargé d’affaires in Beirut to clarify remarks made by Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, according to a statement from Mikati’s office on X.
In an interview with Le Figaro on Thursday, Ghalibaf indicated Tehran’s willingness to negotiate with France over a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon. This would include the implementation of the UN resolution that ended the 2006 Lebanon-Hezbollah war, which led to Hezbollah's withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon.
Mikati also instructed the foreign minister to convey Lebanon’s position on the matter to the Iranian envoy.
Israeli Leaders Discuss "Window of Opportunity" Following Sinwar's Death
From CNN's Eugenia Yosef
Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security meeting on Friday, where they discussed the “significant window of opportunity” created by the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The discussion focused on the potential for the return of hostages and the elimination of Hamas, according to a statement from Herzog’s office.
Israel Issues New Evacuation Notice for Southern Lebanon Villages
By CNN's Eyad Kourdi
The Israeli military has issued another evacuation notice to residents of 23 villages in southern Lebanon, advising them to move north. Some of these villages had been previously mentioned in earlier warnings.
Residents within 18 miles (30 kilometers) of the Israeli border are being told to relocate about 31 miles (50 kilometers) north, according to the notice on Friday. Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee reiterated the warning, urging residents to "save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately" in a message posted on X.
As of Tuesday, the UNHCR reported that about a fifth of Lebanon’s population has fled their homes, with nearly a quarter of the country under Israeli military evacuation orders.
"Catastrophic Situation": Northern Gaza Hospital Director Pleads for Aid Amid Overcrowding and Hunger
From CNN’s Abeer Salman and Alex Stambaugh
The director of one of the few operational hospitals in northern Gaza has reported that it is overwhelmed by the surge of patients, with staff exhausted and rapidly depleting medical supplies and food.
“This is a catastrophic situation in every sense of the word, given the lack of resources, supplies, tools, and medical equipment,” said Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, in a video message to CNN.
Abu Safiya explained that the hospital's capacity has been further strained by an Israeli airstrike on a school in the Jabalya refugee camp, which served as a shelter for displaced people. Health officials reported that the strike killed nearly 30 people, significantly increasing the demand for the intensive care unit.
“Since yesterday, no one has slept. Large numbers of people have arrived due to this massacre,” Abu Safiya said.
The hospital is also dealing with an influx of premature babies, a result of the stress and “psychological pressure” on pregnant women due to the heavy bombing in northern Gaza.
“Most of these babies are born at thirty-two or thirty-three weeks, with very low birth weights,” he added.
He called for “immediate intervention” from international institutions to secure safe passage for medical aid and food.
Deepening Crisis: The World Health Organization has stated that Israel is blocking multiple medical organizations from entering Gaza. This marks the first time that entire health agencies have been denied access to the enclave during the ongoing war.
A UN inquiry has accused Israel of pursuing a “concerted policy” to destroy Gaza's healthcare system during its conflict with Hamas, actions the inquiry said could amount to war crimes.
Senior Hamas Official Confirms Sinwar’s Death
From CNN’s Abeer Salman
A senior Hamas official has confirmed the death of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza. This marks the first official acknowledgment of his death from within the organization.
A senior Hamas official, Basem Naim, acknowledged the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on Friday
but emphasized that the group would eventually emerge “victorious.”
In the statement, which did not mention Sinwar by name, Naim described the loss as “painful and
distressing,” especially when it comes to leaders as significant as Sinwar.
Earlier, Naim had issued a similar statement directly naming Sinwar but later retracted it, releasing a
revised version with Sinwar’s name removed.
Naim also stated that with each assassination of its leaders, Hamas has grown “stronger and more
popular.”
“It seems Israel believes that killing our leaders will end our movement and the Palestinian struggle,”
Naim said in the updated statement. “Yes, it is painful to lose beloved people, especially extraordinary
leaders, but we are confident that victory is inevitable for all who fight for their freedom.”
This post has been updated with Hamas' revised statement.
Lebanese Prime Minister Denounces Iranian Remarks in Rare Public Reprimand
By CNN’s Mostafa Salem
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued a rare public rebuke of recent statements made by Iranian
officials, marking an unusual diplomatic stance.
In a rare public rebuke of Iran, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati characterized statements made by
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf as a “blatant interference” in Lebanon’s internal
affairs.
Ghalibaf, in an interview with Le Figaro on Thursday, stated that Tehran is prepared to negotiate with
France regarding a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon. This includes the implementation
of a UN resolution that ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, which resulted in Hezbollah withdrawing
from parts of southern Lebanon.
Mikati expressed surprise at Iran’s stance, calling it “a blatant interference in Lebanese affairs and an
attempt to impose an unacceptable guardianship over Lebanon.”
Earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi led a delegation to Beirut that included
Ghalibaf. They met with Mikati shortly after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Background: Hezbollah, which exerts control over southern Lebanon and is currently engaged in
conflict with Israel, receives support from Iran. Implementing UN Resolution 1701 without Hezbollah's
consent would be nearly impossible. The 2006 resolution called for a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon,
requiring Hezbollah to withdraw north of the Litani River and stating that only the Lebanese military
should hold positions in the area between the Litani and Israel.