Global Reactions to the Killing of Battle-Engaged Leader Yahya Sinwar
Gaza (Quds New Network)- The Israeli military has announced the killing of Yahya Sinwar, a senior Hamas leader, in southern Gaza. For over a year, Israeli officials claimed Sinwar had been hiding in tunnels, surrounded by Israeli prisoners or using human shields.
Israel released footage purportedly showing Sinwar’s final moments, in which he was seen above ground, sitting calmly in an armchair amid the ruins of a destroyed home in Rafah. The footage depicts him as fighting Israeli occupation forces until his last breath, even throwing a stick at the drone filming him before an artillery shelling took his life.
International Reactions
Numerous international figures and commentators have reacted to the news of Sinwar’s death, many praising his final moments as a symbol of resistance.
British political activist and writer Jackie Walker tweeted a post that garnered thousands of views: “Something extraordinary about Israeli culture. Whatever people think of Sinwar, he died the death of a Hollywood hero. The last man standing, alone amongst his dead comrades, covered in dust, barely alive, using his one remaining arm to throw the closest weapon he could reach towards the drone.” She added, “The Israelis think they humiliate Sinwar by releasing this footage, but there’s something deeply wrong with Israeli society.”
Something extraordinary about Israelil culture. Whatever people think of Sinwar, he died the death of a Hollywood hero. The last man standing, alone amongst his dead comrades, covered with dust, barely alive, against overwhelming odds, using his one remaining arm to throw the… pic.twitter.com/iuEhXOE8cV
— Jackie Walker – HRH, MP, MBE, ABC (@Jackiew80333500) October 18, 2024
American poker player Dan Bilzerian, who has 1.8 million followers, paid tribute to Sinwar, stating: “Anyone fighting the genocidal Israeli terrorists is a hero. RIP Sinwar.”
Anyone fighting the genocidal Israeli terrorists is a hero. RIP Sinwar
— Dan Bilzerian (@DanBilzerian) October 17, 2024
Republican US Senate candidate Sam Parker also expressed admiration, stating, “Sinwar gave the last full measure of devotion. He died for his friends, defiant to the full might and cowardly power of the terror colony to the literal very end by hurling a projectile at the drone marking him for assassination.”
Anyone fighting the genocidal Israeli terrorists is a hero. RIP Sinwar
— Dan Bilzerian (@DanBilzerian) October 17, 2024
Japanese journalist Thoton Akimoto compared Sinwar to a samurai warrior, highlighting the honorable nature of dying in combat. “According to bushido, the way of the samurai, to die in combat is seen as honorable,” Akimoto added, emphasizing Japan’s solidarity with Palestine.
Yahya Shinwar fought bravely like a samurai warrior to defend Gaza, which atomic bomb survivors likened to Hiroshima. The people of Japan stand more firmly with Palestine. https://t.co/XBdVBzbvwX
— 🇵🇸🇯🇵Thoton Akimoto (@AkimotoThn) October 18, 2024
Dilly Hussain, a political blogger for Huffington Post UK, tweeted: “If the DNA test confirms that Yahya Sinwar is dead, it also confirms that he was not hiding in tunnels and was killed in active combat. This was not a targeted assassination, but further proof of Israel’s intent to flatten Gaza and kill as many civilians as possible.”
If the DNA test confirms that Yahya Sinwar is dead, it also confirms that he was not hiding under tunnels and was killed in active combat.
This was not a targeted assassination, and proves that it was always about Israel flattening Gaza and killing maximum number of civilians. pic.twitter.com/uaTOkGj7t4
— Dilly Hussain (@DillyHussain88) October 17, 2024
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed his condolences, stating that Sinwar sought martyrdom and died bravely. “His fate – beautifully pictured in his last image – is not a deterrent but a source of inspiration for resistance fighters across the region. Martyrs live forever, and the cause for liberation of Palestine from occupation is more alive than ever.”
Yahya Sinwar did not fear death but sought martyrdom in Gaza. He bravely fought to the very end on the battlefield.
His fate – beautifully pictured in his last image – is not a deterrent but a source of inspiration for resistance fighters across the region, Palestinian and… pic.twitter.com/neKbQ3z6kU
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) October 18, 2024
American mixed martial artist Jake Shields weighed in, noting Sinwar’s background. “Yahya Sinwar was born into a refugee camp, spent 22 years in Israeli prisons where he was brutally tortured, and in 2018-19, he helped lead peaceful protests. Israel responded by killing 223, including 46 children. Do you understand why he decided to resist?” Shields remarked.
Yahya Sinwar was born into a refugee camp because his parents were ran out of their homes by Jews
and spent 22 years in Israeli prisons where he was brutally tortured
In 2018-19 he helped lead a peaceful protest on the Israeli border
Israel responded by killing… pic.twitter.com/V3rTr5ga4N
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) October 18, 2024
Yahya Sinwar’s death has reignited discussions surrounding Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the Palestinian resistance. While many viewed him as a commander hiding underground, Israeli-released footage confirmed the truth about Sinwar; a defiant leader who faced occupation forces head-on. In a previous interview, Sinwar himself stated that he preferred martyrdom, saying, “The greatest gift the Israeli occupation can give me is to kill me. I prefer to die a martyr than to die a meaningless death.”
Sinwar’s final moments have sparked a wave of reactions across social media, drawing parallels between his defiance and the perceived cowardice of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently fled to an underground shelter during an Iranian missile raid on Israel.
