World
IDF investigating whether Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar among 3 killed in Gaza airstrike
The Israeli military announced on Thursday that it is investigating the possibility that Yahya Sinwar, a key Hamas leader, was killed during a targeted operation in the Gaza Strip.
The operation reportedly aimed at eliminating three militants in a specific building.
However, the military clarified that, at this point, the identities of the individuals killed could not be definitively confirmed.
Israeli media outlets recently shared images of a dead body, claiming it to be that of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Israeli security officials have since stated that there is a “high probability” that Sinwar has been killed, with several indicators supporting this assessment. While formal confirmation is still pending, authorities remain confident based on the available evidence gathered in the aftermath of the recent military operations.
Israeli officials told they are still waiting for DNA and fingerprint confirmation to make sure it is Sinwar. The Israeli officials say Israel has both his DNA and fingerprints from his time in prison.
According to the statement, there were no indications that hostages were present in the building at the time of the strike.
Sinwar, a central figure in Hamas and the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that escalated into the Gaza war, was appointed leader of the group after the assassination of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in August.
Sinwar’s involvement in orchestrating Hamas operations has made him a high-priority target for Israeli forces.
GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR — A powerful car bomb detonated near Mall del Sol in Guayaquil resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, according to local authorities.
The blast, which sent shockwaves across the bustling commercial district, is being investigated as a possible terror or organized crime-related attack amid Ecuador’s ongoing struggle with rising gang violence.
The explosion occurred near one of the main entrances of Mall del Sol, one of Guayaquil’s largest and busiest shopping centers, located in the north of the city.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and destruction as a vehicle parked along the roadside suddenly erupted into flames, sending a massive fireball and thick black smoke into the air.
Surveillance footage and videos shared on social media captured the moment of the detonation, showing debris flying across the street as nearby cars were engulfed by the blast.
Several storefronts and vehicles in the vicinity were heavily damaged, and windows shattered across multiple nearby buildings.
Initial reports from emergency responders indicate that several people were killed, and multiple others sustained serious injuries.
The exact number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed as rescue operations continue.
Firefighters, police, and medical teams quickly arrived at the scene, cordoning off the area and extinguishing the burning vehicles. Paramedics transported the injured to nearby hospitals, while authorities evacuated the surrounding area to ensure public safety.
Officials from Ecuador’s National Police and Armed Forces have launched an immediate investigation into the attack. Early indications suggest that explosives were deliberately placed inside a parked vehicle, though authorities have not yet disclosed details about the type of device used or any possible suspects.
The Attorney General’s Office and anti-terrorism units are leading the forensic examination of the blast site. Authorities have increased security across Guayaquil and other major Ecuadorian cities, fearing possible coordinated attacks.
Ecuador’s Minister of the Interior condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of violence intended to spread fear among citizens.” The government pledged to bring those responsible to justice and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security amid escalating gang-related violence in the region.
Residents are urged to avoid the Mall del Sol area as the investigation remains active.
Further updates are expected as officials release more information on the number of victims and the circumstances leading up to the explosion.