Gaza-based Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has long been cut off from the outside world, so Israel is looking for evidence of his possible death. Reports by Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, news outlets such as Haaretz, Maariv and Walla, and the Israel Defense Forces’ military intelligence agency suggested that Sinwar may have been killed in recent Israeli strikes in Gaza. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency reportedly believes he is still alive.

According to The Times Of Israel, some reports cited sources as saying that the elusive Hamas chief, who has been hiding in Gaza tunnels since Hamas’ October 7 attack, has disappeared from the scene several times, only to reappear to deliver messages on the ceasefire talks or other issues. Security officials cited by several media outlets pointed out that any claim about Sinwar’s death was currently speculation and lacked any solid basis.

Haaretz reported, citing sources, that Israel bombed tunnels in areas where Sinwar was believed to be hiding, but there was no clear evidence that he was injured or killed. He may be deliberately keeping a low profile. The military’s response to inquiries was brief: “We have no information to confirm or refute the matter.”

Since the October 7 attack on southern Israel – believed to have been orchestrated by Sinwar – Israel has targeted key Hamas figures, including the head of the group’s military wing, Muhammad Deif, and the head of the Khan Younis Brigade, Rafa’a Salameh. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and his deputy Saleh al-Arouri were also killed in drone strikes in Iran and Beirut respectively earlier this year. Yahya Sinwar and his brother Muhammad reportedly remained key targets for Israeli forces, but attempts to locate them were unsuccessful.

Reports have also detailed the complex and secretive methods of communication Sinwar allegedly uses from his hideouts, involving intermediaries and handwritten notes.