Sinwar is one of the masterminds behind the massacre of October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 Israelis were murdered and 250 were taken hostage into Gaza, where 115 remain in captivity 10 months later.
Red alert sirens were activated in many localities in southern Israel shortly after the announcement was made, including in Sderot and Ashkelon.
The IDF announced that following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in southern Israel, approximately three launches were identified crossing from northern Gaza. One launch was intercepted and the rest fell in open areas. No injuries were reported.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in response to to the Hamas announcement, "The appointment of arch-terrorist Yahya Sinwar as the new leader of Hamas, replacing Ismail Haniyeh, is yet another compelling reason to swiftly eliminate him and wipe this vile organization off the face of the earth." Israel National News - Arutz Sheva
