Sinwar death confirmed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar marks “the beginning of the day after” for the militant group. He vowed that Israel would keep fighting in Gaza until all hostages are returned home.

• Sinwar, Israel’s most wanted man since Hamas’ October 7 attack, was killed in a chance encounter. Soldiers stumbled across Sinwar during a routine ground patrol in Rafah, Israeli officials said. Drone footage released by the Israeli military showed what seem to be Sinwar’s final moments.

• Hamas has confirmed Sinwar’s death but said it will not free the hostages in Gaza until Israel ends the war, fully withdraws from the Strip and releases Palestinian prisoners. Still, Biden administration officials have said they hope Sinwar’s death can lead to a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

• On the ground, the World Health Organization said that Israel is blocking multiple medical organizations from entering Gaza — the first time entire health agencies have been denied access during the war. A hospital director in northern Gaza said it is overwhelmed by patients and is grappling with the number of babies born prematurely due to the stress on women caused by heavy bombing.