Volcanic eruption in Indonesia destroys homes and claims the lives of at least 10 individuals.

 

MAUMERE, Indonesia — Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency announced on Monday that a series of volcanic eruptions on the remote island of Flores has resulted in at least 10 fatalities.

The eruption at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, which began around midnight, released thick, brown ash rising up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) into the atmosphere, with hot ash impacting several villages and destroying homes, including a convent for Catholic nuns, according to Firman Yosef, an official at the monitoring post for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki.

He reported that volcanic material was ejected up to 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the crater, covering nearby villages and towns with significant amounts of debris and prompting residents to evacuate.

Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency, stated that rescuers are still searching for additional bodies under the rubble of collapsed homes. All identified victims, including a child, were discovered within a 4-kilometer (2.4 miles) radius of the crater.

He stated that the eruption has impacted at least 10,000 individuals across six villages in Wulanggitang District and four villages in Ile Bura District. Many have sought refuge with relatives, while the local government is preparing schools to serve as temporary shelters.

The country's volcano monitoring agency raised the alert status of the volcano to its highest level and more than doubled the exclusion zone to a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius after midnight on Monday due to an increase in eruption frequency.

Agusta Palma, head of the Saint Gabriel Foundation, which oversees convents on the predominantly Catholic island, reported that one nun in Hokeng village has died and another is missing. 

“Our nuns fled in panic beneath a shower of volcanic ash in the darkness,” Palma stated.

Photos and videos shared on social media depicted houses in villages like Hokeng buried under tons of volcanic debris, with hot volcanic materials igniting structures.

Lewotobi Laki-laki is one of a pair of stratovolcanoes located in the East Flores district of East Nusa Tenggara province, locally referred to as the husband and wife mountains—“Laki-laki” means man, while its counterpart is Lewotobi Perempuan, or woman.

In January, approximately 6,500 people were evacuated after Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki began erupting, releasing thick clouds and prompting the government to close Frans Seda Airport on the island. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or significant damage, but the airport has remained closed since then due to ongoing seismic activity.

During a video conference on Monday, Muhammad Wafid, head of the Geology Agency at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, explained that the character of the eruption on Monday differed from that in January due to a blockage of magma in the crater, which reduced detectable seismic activity while increasing pressure.

“The eruptions that began on Friday were caused by the buildup of hidden energy,” Wafid stated.

This marks Indonesia's second volcanic eruption in as many weeks. On October 27, Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, one of the country’s most active volcanoes, erupted, emitting thick columns of ash multiple times and covering nearby villages with debris, although no casualties were reported.

Lewotobi Laki-laki is one of the 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, an archipelago with a population of 280 million. The country is highly susceptible to earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity due to its location along the "Ring of Fire," a horseshoe-shaped network of seismic fault lines surrounding the Pacific Ocean.

Trump aims to reduce his deficit among women, yet he isn't altering the way he discusses them.

 

                                                                             (Photo AP)

GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA— Donald Trump claims he will be the “protector” of women, regardless of their feelings on the matter.

He has campaigned alongside men who use sexist and crude language and has voiced concern about the possibility of wives voting differently from their husbands.

The former Republican president also suggested that Democrat Kamala Harris, who seeks to become the first woman elected to the White House, would become “overwhelmed” and “melt down” when confronted by tough male authoritarian leaders.

In the closing days of his campaign, Trump has maintained a gendered perspective that many critics deem outdated and paternalistic, even as he admits that some of his language has landed him in “so much trouble” with a key demographic of voters.

Trump and some of his notable allies have perpetuated explicit sexism.

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, speaking at an event with the Republican nominee, compared Trump to an angry father giving tough love to a “bad little girl” who, in Carlson's view, needed a “vigorous spanking.”

Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point, which is significantly involved in the campaign's get-out-the-vote efforts, has stated that any man who votes against Trump is “not a man.” He also remarked that wives who secretly support Harris “undermine their husbands,” referring to men who likely work tirelessly to ensure their partners can enjoy a comfortable life and support the family.

On Saturday night, Trump chuckled at a crude joke about Harris, just days after a speaker at his Madison Square Garden rally suggested the vice president resembled a prostitute under the control of "pimp handlers." While reiterating his unsubstantiated claim that Harris lied about working at McDonald's in her youth, someone from the audience shouted, "She worked on the corner."

Trump laughed, glanced around, and pointed to a section of the crowd.

“This place is amazing,” he declared to cheers. “Just remember, it’s others saying it, not me.”

Since Harris entered the race in July, Trump has struggled with a significant gender gap. Surveys indicate that women are substantially more likely to support Harris than Trump, with some polls showing a double-digit margin.

This gap could be critical in what both campaigns anticipate will be an extremely close election on Tuesday.

Women typically vote at higher rates than men, comprising 53% of the electorate in 2020, according to AP VoteCast. Among the nearly 67.2 million Americans who have already voted, approximately 53% are women, compared to 44% men, as reported by TargetSmart, a political data firm.

“This isn't the time for them to become overly masculine with their bromance,” said Nikki Haley, who competed against Trump for the GOP nomination this year, in a recent Fox News interview. “Women will vote. They care about how they're spoken to and the issues at hand.”

Despite her willingness to campaign alongside him, Trump has not joined Haley on the campaign trail; she served as U.N. ambassador during his administration.

Trump has been actively seeking the support of men, particularly focusing on younger demographics. His team has dedicated months to engaging with them through a series of interviews on popular male-oriented podcasts and by appearing at football games and mixed martial arts events. The campaign has been characterized by a strong focus on machismo, as showcased when former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan tore off his shirt while taking the stage at the Republican National Convention and again during the Madison Square Garden rally.

The song “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World” frequently plays at Trump’s events.

Trump was anticipated to encounter difficulties with women this year, particularly after appointing three justices to the Supreme Court who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, thereby ending the constitutionally protected right to abortion and triggering a wave of restrictions in Republican-led states.

However, his attempts to regain the support of women have often fallen flat.

While speaking on Saturday in Gastonia, North Carolina, at the first of nearly a dozen rallies during the campaign's final weekend, Trump acknowledged the backlash he has received for claiming he would “protect” women as president. Despite this, he continued to assert the statement, insisting that women love him and that he was correct.

“I believe that women need to be protected. Men, children—everyone needs protection. But women, especially in suburban areas, need to feel safe,” he stated. “When you're home alone and a monster who has been released from prison—someone with six charges for murdering six different people—breaks in, I think you'd prefer to have Trump.”

Trump's campaign thinks that emphasizing crime and illegal immigration will resonate with “security moms.” At his rallies, he has shared stories of mothers whose children were killed by individuals living in the country illegally. One such story is that of Alexis Nungaray, whose 12-year-old daughter, Jocelyn, was murdered by two suspected Venezuelan gang members.

The campaign also believes that Trump’s frequent criticism of transgender rights resonates with his audience.

In Salem, Virginia, on Saturday, Trump brought female athletes from Roanoke College to the stage, referencing a transgender woman who had requested but later withdrew her application to join the women’s swimming team.

Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, defended his stance, stating, “Women deserve a President who will secure our nation’s borders, remove violent criminals from our neighborhoods, and build an economy that helps our families thrive—and that’s exactly what President Trump will do.”

Attendees at his rallies expressed their appreciation for Trump’s promise to be a “protector.”

“I want protection. We all do, right? We don’t want to feel unsafe,” said Kim Saunders, 52, a small business owner from Williamsburg, Virginia. “It’s a scary feeling. So, for me, it feels reassuring to have someone, especially a man, to protect me.”

She admitted she struggles to understand why women would support Harris, but believes men are attracted to Trump because “he is that alpha male. I grew up with a dad who was an alpha male, and I appreciate that.”

Meanwhile, Harris has highlighted Trump’s comments in her speeches and on social media, aiming to address her side of the gender gap. She has appeared on podcasts and conducted interviews specifically focusing on Black men, a demographic that traditionally supports Democrats, where Trump seems to be gaining traction. In a CNN interview on Saturday, she was asked whether she thinks women will make a difference in this election.

“I believe all Americans are going to make the difference. I intend to be a president for all Americans,” she responded.

Trump pushed back against a comment from Mark Cuban, a top Harris supporter, suggesting that Trump does not surround himself with strong, intelligent women. Trump pointed out that he has hired women to lead both his 2016 and 2024 campaigns.

However, while attempting to undermine Harris, the first woman elected as vice president, Trump has frequently resorted to gendered language. “She certainly can’t handle (Russian President Vladimir) Putin or President Xi of China. She’ll get overwhelmed, melt down, and millions of people will die,” he said on Saturday.

That night, he awkwardly reiterated his claim of being the “father of fertilization,” falsely taking credit for a fertility procedure that was briefly banned in Alabama by a state Supreme Court ruling following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

At recent rallies, Trump, who has been found liable for sexual assault and has faced accusations from over two dozen women of sexual misconduct, commented on female supporters in the audience, lamenting that he can no longer call them beautiful.

“You have to be very careful with everything you say. You know, like there are some women who are very beautiful in the audience. I would never say that. If I said they were beautiful, that would be the end of my political career,” Trump stated.

Flood survivors throw mud at Spain's royalty, while the Prime Minister is evacuated during the visit.

 

 Spain's King Felipe VI engages with upset flood survivors in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain. On Sunday, November 3, 2024, (Photo AP)

VALENCIA, Spain  — During their first visit to the heart of Spain’s deadliest natural disaster in recent history, King Felipe VI and senior government officials were targeted with mud by a furious crowd of flood survivors on Sunday.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was evacuated from the area, according to Spanish broadcaster RTVE, as the official delegation navigated the mud-covered streets of Paiporta, one of the most severely affected regions where over 60 lives were lost and countless others were devastated.

Police intervened, with some officers on horseback, to hold back the crowd of several dozen people who threw mud and waved shovels and poles in a threatening manner.

After having to seek protection, the king, with mud splatters on his face, maintained his composure and made multiple attempts to engage with individual residents. One person appeared to cry on his shoulder, and he shook hands with another man.

“They knew it, they knew it, and yet they did nothing,” shouted a young man at the king, wagging his finger in his face.

Amid the chaos, the crowd shouted, “Get out! Get out!” and “Killers!” among other insults. Bodyguards used umbrellas to shield the royals and officials from the onslaught of mud.

A young woman struck a bodyguard with a long pole.

This incident was unprecedented for a royal family that carefully curates an image of a monarch who is beloved by the nation. However, public outrage over the mishandling of the crisis reached its peak on Sunday.

Queen Letizia and regional Valencia President Carlo Mazón were also part of the delegation. The queen had small clumps of mud on her hands and arms as she interacted with women.

“We don’t have any water,” one woman told the queen.

Five days after the floods, many residents still lack access to drinking water. Internet and mobile phone service remain unreliable, and most people only had their power restored on Saturday. The neighborhood’s shops and supermarkets are in ruins.

Paiporta, with a population of 30,000, still has many city blocks completely blocked by piles of debris, numerous damaged cars, and a pervasive layer of mud.

Over 200 people have died due to the floods that struck on Tuesday, and thousands have seen their homes destroyed by the devastating surge.

Indignation regarding the management of the disaster began to surface once the initial shock faded.

Although the floods had already impacted Paiporta, regional officials issued a mobile alert that arrived two hours too late.

Public frustration grew further due to the slow response from officials in the aftermath. Most of the cleanup of the thick layers of mud and debris that have infiltrated many homes has been carried out by residents and thousands of volunteers.

“We have lost everything!” someone shouted.

There were demands for accountability directed at Mazón, who oversees civil protection, along with cries of “Where is Pedro Sánchez?”

Despite the chaos, Felipe continued to engage with the people during his visit. He spoke with several individuals, patting two young men on their backs and sharing a quick embrace, with mud stains on his black raincoat.

A journalist from Spanish broadcaster RTVE, who was in proximity to Felipe, reported that one woman cried as she expressed her lack of food and diapers, while another pleaded, “Don’t abandon us.”

However, after about half an hour of heightened tension, the royal couple entered official vehicles and departed with a mounted police escort.

One woman struck an official car with her umbrella, while another kicked it as it drove away.

Spain's government is deploying 10,000 soldiers and police to Valencia following the devastating floods.

 

On Saturday, November 2, 2024, volunteers waded through the mud to aid in the cleanup efforts following the floods in Massanassa, located just outside of Valencia, Spain.

Spain is dispatching an additional 5,000 soldiers and 5,000 police to the eastern region of Valencia following devastating floods this week that have claimed over 200 lives, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Saturday.

To date, 205 bodies have been recovered, with 202 located in Valencia, two in the neighboring region of Castilla La Mancha, and one in Andalusia in the south. This tragedy marks the deadliest natural disaster in Spain's recent history.

 vehicles were stacked in the streets following the flooding caused by a storm that struck late Tuesday and early Wednesday, resulting in hundreds of deaths or missing persons in Alfafar, located in the Valencia region of Spain. On Saturday, November 2, 2024,

On Saturday, four days after the devastating flash floods that obliterated everything in their wake in eastern Spain, rescuers continued to search for bodies in abandoned vehicles and waterlogged buildings. Many individuals remain unaccounted for.

Thousands of volunteers have joined efforts to clear the dense mud that now blankets the streets, homes, and businesses in the towns most severely affected by the disaster.

Currently, around 2,000 soldiers are engaged in emergency efforts, alongside nearly 2,500 Civil Guard officers who have conducted 4,500 rescues during the flooding, and 1,800 national police officers.

Mud blankets the area following the storm that struck last Tuesday and early Wednesday, leaving hundreds dead or missing in Paiporta, on the outskirts of Valencia, Spain, on Saturday, November 2.

Apple going to release new Macs in a 'week of announcements' that starts from Monday

 Apple is set to start revealing its M4 Mac lineup next week, kicking off the new M4 transition with updates to the iMac, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.

Apple marketing executive Greg Joswiak shared that a series of announcements is planned for next week, strongly indicating that they will focus on Macs.

As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is expected to begin shipping the new M4 Macs with a minimum of 16GB of RAM, which will include the base model 14” MacBook Pro, the updated Mac mini, and the new iMac.

Extra Thunderbolt ports.

According to an analysis of an M4 die shot conducted by Fred on Twitter, it seems that Apple’s M4 chip is equipped with four Thunderbolt controllers, up from two on the M3 chip and earlier models. 

This likely means that all base M4 Macs will feature additional Thunderbolt ports. We already know that the base M4 MacBook Pro will come with three Thunderbolt ports, an upgrade from the two ports found on the M3 model, as revealed by a warehouse leak. The M4 iMac might also include four Thunderbolt ports, compared to the current configuration of two Thunderbolt and two USB-C ports.

MAC MINI

Recent reports indicate that Apple's upcoming Mac mini will feature the most significant redesign in its 14-year history, with the new model anticipated to be significantly smaller. This redesign will likely result in the removal of USB-A support, though it is expected to gain additional USB-C ports to compensate. Additionally, the new Mac mini will include front-facing ports, similar to those on the Mac Studio.

While details about its appearance remain limited, the anticipation is high, especially considering that it is Apple's most affordable Mac.

 

Rumors suggest that a new iMac will be released this month, paving the way for Apple to refresh all of its Magic accessories. Given Apple's requirement to comply with the European Union's USB-C mandate by the end of this year, it’s highly likely that the new M4 iMac refresh will mark the end of Lightning for Apple’s desktop accessories.

Moreover, code found in the macOS 15.1 release candidate indicates this shift, as it includes new references to updated models of the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse.

iOS 18.2 Beta Live, Release Date Announced for iOS 18.1

 

Apple Intelligence is just around the corner, and the company has confirmed the exact date. While we knew it was set for October, Apple has now announced that it will take place next week. Additionally, the first developer beta of iOS 18.2 is now live.

Release Date for iOS 18.1

"Next week refers to either Monday, October 28, Tuesday, October 29, or Wednesday, October 30. I anticipate that the official release will be at 10 a.m. Pacific Time on October 28."

iOS 18.2 Allows Certain iPhone Users to Remove the Apple App Store

 

Over the years, Apple has faced criticism for its policy of not allowing the deletion of certain iPhone apps. However, with the arrival of the upcoming iOS 18.2 software in developer beta, users in the European Union will now have the ability to remove key apps from their devices. Both the oldest iPhone and the latest models featured a Stock of apps, despite not being of interest to everyone. 

Initially, users couldn't delete it, but that changed later. With the launch of the Apple Watch, we received numerous complaints from people who didn't own the watch and found its app icon to be a waste of space. Thankfully, you can now delete the Watch app as well.

Justice Ellison powers through for a tough 31-yard touchdown, pushing Nebraska's lead over Indiana even further.

 Nebraska's quest for a sixth victory is now under urgent scrutiny after a first half in which they were overwhelmed for 343 yards and find themselves trailing by three touchdowns.

Dressed in their striking Surrender Whites, Nebraska stumbled early and returned to the locker room with a disappointing 28-7 deficit, reminiscent of a T-Rex's blunder.

The Blackshirts faced their toughest opponent since Matt Rhule took over, as they were exploited for 343 yards while the Hoosiers effortlessly marched down the field, scoring on drives of 75, 88, 75, and 74 yards.

After Indiana’s opening touchdown, the first half’s difficulties were highlighted by an unfortunate kickoff return, where Jacori Barney channeled the memory of Cam-Taylor Britt's 2021 blunder against Illinois by stepping out of bounds at the Huskers' 1-yard line. Nebraska could only muster 12 yards before punting back to Indiana, allowing the Hoosiers to invade Husker territory. Although the Blackshirts held them there temporarily, it was largely a lackluster first half for the defense.

The Huskers began moving down the field and seemed poised to tie the game until Dante Dowdell fumbled on the 12-yard line, derailing the drive. Trailing 14-0, Raiola ignited the offense, leading a no-huddle drive that culminated in a touchdown from Jacory Barney, narrowing the gap to 14-7. Unfortunately, Nebraska quickly went three-and-out in response to two more Indiana touchdowns.

To make matters worse, Rutgers' standout, Brian Buschini, managed a disappointing 25-yard punt as the half drew to a close. Malcom Hartzog did carve out a bit of solace by intercepting a Hail Mary from Kurtis Rourke just before halftime.

Can the Huskers orchestrate a miraculous turnaround in the second half? Anything is possible, and let's hope Raiola's foot is healthy and his arm is ready to fire.

Hezbollah declares a 'new phase' in the conflict following Israel's announcement of Sinwar's killing.

 

   ‘Spirit of resistance’:              Hamas leader 

         Yahya Sinwar

Who is Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader whom Israel claims to have killed?

Hamas has announced the appointment of Yahya Sinwar, its senior official in Gaza, as the new leader of its political bureau. This decision comes after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, according to the Palestinian group’s statement on Tuesday.

“The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas has announced the appointment of Commander Yahya Sinwar as the new head of its political bureau, succeeding the late Commander Ismail Haniyeh, may [God] have mercy on him,” the group stated in a brief announcement.

Sinwar, 61, is regarded by Israel as the architect of the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli territory, which resulted in over 1,100 fatalities and the capture of more than 200 individuals.

“He [Sinwar] has rapidly ascended to a significant position within Hamas, leading the group in Gaza. His appointment as the leader of the movement places Gaza at the forefront of both the current situation on the ground and the internal dynamics of Hamas,” stated Nour Odeh, a Palestinian political analyst based in Ramallah, in an interview with Al Jazeera.

“This really signals that when it comes to ceasefire negotiations, Gaza is in control.”

Hezbollah praised Sinwar’s appointment late Tuesday, describing it as a strong message to both Israel and the United States, indicating that Hamas is unified in its decision-making.

“Choosing Yahya Sinwar from the heart of besieged Gaza—where he stands on the frontlines with resistance fighters and among the children of his people, amid rubble, blockades, killings, and starvation—reinforces the notion that the enemy's objectives in targeting leaders have failed,” the group declared in a statement.

Sinwar was born in a Gaza refugee camp south of Khan Younis and previously led the Al-Majd security apparatus, which was responsible for targeting Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel. He assumed leadership of Hamas in the Gaza Strip in 2017.

He is among several Hamas leaders for whom the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants, citing allegations of war crimes committed on October 7. Arrest warrants have also been sought for some Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Chief Yoav Gallant, for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Despite Israel's vow to eradicate Hamas and a military campaign that is considered one of the most destructive in modern history, the Palestinian armed group has continued to resist Israeli forces in Gaza.

Sinwar has managed to evade capture by Israel, even after Gallant stated that Sinwar was living on “borrowed time” following the events of October 7.

“I believe the emphasis on Gaza and specifically on Sinwar is a strong indication of defiance,” stated Marwan Bishara, a senior political analyst at Al Jazeera.

“It underscores that Hamas is not going to relinquish Gaza and will continue to maintain its influence in the region, which is why its leader is situated there.”

Hayya reports that Sinwar was killed in combat.

In a televised address, Khalil Hayya honored "the memory of the fallen martyr, Yahya Sinwar." 

Describing Sinwar as "steadfast, brave, and intrepid," Hayya stated that Sinwar "sacrificed his life for the cause of our liberation."

"He met his end standing tall, with his head held high, armed and firing until his last breath, until the very last moment of his life.

"[Sinwar] lived his entire life as a holy fighter. From a young age, he was engaged in the struggle as a resistance fighter. He remained defiant behind Israeli bars, and following his release in a prisoner exchange, he continued his fight and commitment to the cause."

Hamas has confirmed that its leader, Sinwar, has been killed in Gaza.

Khalil Hayya, the head of Hamas in Gaza, has confirmed that Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces.

Israel claims to have killed the Hamas mastermind Yahya Sinwar responsible for the October 7 attacks.

More than a year after the devastating October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel, the Israeli military announced on Thursday that it has killed the individual it deems the primary architect of that cross-border assault. This development raises questions regarding the future of both the ongoing war and the militant group, which has suffered significant setbacks in recent months.

According to U.S. officials, the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar could present a rare chance to negotiate a ceasefire, especially since Israel has also eliminated several other high-ranking Hamas commanders, including Ismail Haniyeh, the group's former political leader, as well as top figures from Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Hamas and Hezbollah are part of a network of militant organizations supported by Iran.

In a recorded statement on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Sinwar's death signifies “the beginning of the day after Hamas,” while adding, “the task before us is not yet complete.”

As of now, Hamas has not issued a statement regarding the reports of its leader's death.

 

                       How did it occurred?

Since the October 7 attacks, Israel has dedicated extensive resources to a relentless manhunt for Yahya Sinwar, labeling him the most-wanted individual in Gaza and a “dead man walking.” At one point, an Israeli military spokesperson declared that the search “will not stop until he is captured, dead or alive.”
U.S. officials believe that the Israeli military came close to capturing him several times, even obtaining a video that allegedly showed Sinwar with family members inside a Gaza tunnel, but he managed to evade capture. The Israeli military had previously surrounded Sinwar’s home and launched a major assault on his hometown of Khan Younis, yet he remained elusive.
That year-long search unexpectedly concluded on Wednesday in Rafah, southern Gaza. Israeli forces were conducting a routine military operation in the area when they came under fire near a building, according to two Israeli sources familiar with the situation.
In response, the troops returned fire with a tank and deployed a drone to the heavily damaged structure, as reported by the Israeli military. The footage released by the military appears to show Sinwar’s final moments: he is seen sitting alone in a chair, surrounded by dust and debris, seemingly looking directly at the camera. He holds a piece of wood and throws it at the drone before the video ends.
It was only after inspecting the rubble that the troops discovered Sinwar among the deceased, according to the Israeli military.
Dental records and other biometric data were used to confirm the identity of the Hamas leader, as stated by a U.S. official and a former official familiar with the case.
An Israeli military spokesperson revealed on Thursday that Sinwar had been attempting to flee to the north at the time of his death. He was found in possession of a firearm and over $10,000 in Israeli shekels.

                            Who was Sinwar ?

Sinwar had been a significant figure in Hamas, joining the militant group in the late 1980s and rapidly advancing through its ranks.


Born in a Gaza refugee camp after his family fled the Palestinian village of Al-Majdal—now part of the Israeli city of Ashkelon—during the Arab-Israeli war, Sinwar grew up with a strong sense of resistance.
As a student, he became an activist against the occupation but was later imprisoned in Israel, receiving multiple life sentences for allegedly orchestrating murder. After serving 23 years, he was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange.

Upon returning to Gaza, Sinwar swiftly made a name for himself within Hamas. He established the group’s notorious international intelligence security branch, known as Majd, and gained a reputation for utilizing extreme violence against anyone suspected of collaborating with Israel.

Some viewed Sinwar as a pragmatic political leader; in 2017, Hamas elected him as the political chief of the Politburo, its principal decision-making body in Gaza.

In 2015, both the U.S. Department of State and the European Union designated him a global terrorist, and he faced sanctions from the United Kingdom and France in recent years.

However, his prominence grew significantly following the October 7 attacks, making him one of Israel's primary targets. Israeli officials referred to him as the “face of evil” and “the butcher from Khan Younis.”

In August, he ascended to one of the most senior leadership positions in Hamas after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. Since the October 7 attacks, Sinwar had not been publicly seen, likely evading capture during Israel’s siege of Gaza by taking refuge in an extensive network of underground tunnels.

     What was his involvement on October 7?

Israel has officially accused Sinwar of being the “mastermind” behind Hamas’ October 7 attack, although experts suggest he was likely one of several key figures involved.

This assault marked the deadliest day in Israel’s history, with Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups claiming the lives of over 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, and taking around 250 hostages into Gaza.

Sinwar was seen as a crucial decision-maker and likely served as the primary liaison with the outside world during the critical negotiations for the hostages' release.

These discussions involved high-ranking officials from Israel, Hamas, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.