Israel bombed northern Gaza, causing more than 100 casualties. Many countries expressed their stance on Sinwar’s death.

On the evening of October 18, airstrikes carried out by Israel targeted multiple areas within the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, resulting in at least 33 deaths and over 80 injuries. The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, known as Hamas, has confirmed the death of its leader, Yehya Sinwar, prompting reactions from various countries regarding his demise.

According to reports from the Palestinian news agency, Israeli bombing of residential buildings in the Jabalia refugee camp led to casualties, including 21 women among the 33 deceased. Dr. Aasim Abu al-Aish, the director of the Al-Ouda Hospital in Jabalia, stated that the facility had admitted over 70 injured individuals, more than half of whom were women and children. He expressed that the hospital is struggling to handle such a large influx of casualties in a short time.

In the past two weeks, Israel has intensified its military operations in Jabalia, claiming a need to dismantle Hamas infrastructure and thwart its reorganization efforts. To date, this offensive has resulted in at least 450 deaths. Local residents report that Israeli tanks have moved to the center of the refugee camp, with armed forces launching daily aerial and ground assaults on numerous homes, including using remote-explosive devices. Humanitarian aid in the area has ceased, with food and water supplies severely disrupted.

On the same day, another Israeli strike in Jabalia killed four and injured 15. Following the attacks, Hamas issued a statement confirming Sinwar’s death and announced plans to elect a new leader shortly. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya stated in a video statement that Sinwar died during an earlier assault in Gaza. He emphasized that Sinwar’s death would only bolster Hamas’s resolve, asserting that the release of Israeli personnel held in Gaza would only occur if Israeli forces halted their operations and withdrew completely, as well as released Palestinian detainees.

In another statement, Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mardawi mentioned that the organization would select new leadership in accordance with its charter while continuing discussions regarding ceasefire proposals.

Internationally, reactions to Sinwar’s death have emerged. The Palestinian Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee expressed its condolences for Sinwar’s “martyrdom” and urged unity among Palestinian factions. John Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator for the U.S. National Security Council, remarked that Sinwar was a significant obstacle to achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, suggesting that his death might represent a “turning point” that could expedite ceasefire negotiations.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed concerns about further deterioration of the conflict, stating that mediators, including Egypt, are close to reaching a ceasefire agreement, although he noted Israel’s lack of willingness for a political resolution.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Hamas representatives on October 18, expressing condolences over Sinwar’s passing. The ministry’s statement indicated that Turkey would employ all diplomatic means to galvanize international support in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei asserted that Hamas would not cease its progress despite Sinwar’s death.

Furthermore, reports from the Israel Times indicated that beginning late on October 18 and into the early hours of the 19th, multiple areas in northern Israel experienced air raid sirens as rockets were fired from Lebanon targeting regions including Safed, Mount Meron, and Haifa, with no immediate reports of injuries.