Israel’s 'Osama Bin Laden’—Yahya Sinwar has been eliminated. Now what?

I don’t think it was without divine design that Israel’s ‘Osama Bin Laden’—Yahya Sinwar—was killed by Israeli troops on the first day of Sukkot. Sinwar and his hordes of orcs unleashed the worst atrocity against people just for being Jewish since the Holocaust on the last day of Sukkot 2023. In the end, it wasn’t elite forces that took out Sinwar in a unique, long-planned mission, but kids just out of basic training who happened upon him.

Here is what we know.

A unit from Israel’s 828th Bislamach Brigade patrolled an area of Rafah on Wednesday. Three terrorists were spotted, and the unit opened fire. Two fled one way, and the other, Sinwar, entered a building. The two other terrorists were his bodyguards and were going ahead of him for protection. They were both eliminated. IDF forces opened fire on the building that now housed Sinwar—they had no idea it was him.

Sinwar threw two grenades, and IDF forces fired on the building. A drone was sent in to see if it was safe for them to enter. Drones have been used by the IDF as another set of eyes to spot booby traps and terrorists, saving many lives since October 7. The drone spotted the injured terrorist, who responded by throwing a stick at the drone. It was pathetic—the man who once boasted of an Islamic revolution and the end of Israel, sat there alone, injured and waiting to die. His face was covered, so there was still no indication that this was the most wanted man in Gaza.

Another tank opened fire on the structure, this time killing him. However, it wasn’t until the next day that soldiers went through the rubble and discovered that the man who threw the stick at the drone had a striking resemblance to Yahya Sinwar. Despite having the top of his skull smashed (ironic since Israel saved him from a brain tumor when he was in prison), it did appear to be the man who authorized the killing of 1,200 Israelis. Dental records and DNA confirmed.

What now?

Iran has already stated that it will continue the “resistance,” as has Hezbollah. However, the people in Gaza are tired. Surely they want this to end. Netanyahu, in his remarks following the confirmation of Sinwar’s demise, said Israel would grant amnesty to those who willingly release any living hostages — this includes Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and even civilian families (who have been reported to have kidnapped hostages). “I call on everyone who holds our hostages: Whoever lays down his weapon and returns our hostages — we will allow him to go out and live.”

This is a huge turning point in the war. But celebrations were muted. CNN wrongly identified people who were actually advocating for the hostages to be released as celebrating. No one is crying over Sinwar, but as long as Israelis are still being held in Gaza there is little to celebrate. However, no one can ignore that the tides of this war have changed since Israel (reprotedly) took out Hamas’ former leader Ismail Haniya in Iran. Since then, Israel:

• Disabled much of Hezbollah when their pagers all exploded.

• The next day, their two-way radios exploded.

• Then Israel took out the elusive leader of Hezbollah, Nasrallah, and then his supposed replacement.

• Now, Sinwar is gone, leaving Hamas without any real command structure. (Even before, Sinwar was running scarred with two bodyguards when killed—hardly the appearance of someomne running the show).

How can we pray?

• Pray for all of the hostages to be released without condition, immediately.

• Pray that the people in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon would rise up against the terrorists that rule (and ruin) them.

• Pray for wisdom for the Israeli government and military.

• As always, pray for revival in this country!

• Also, there still needs to be an accounting for October 7. Pray our leaders will have the humilty to allow an investigation to take place.

Yeshua told us that wars and rumors of wars will mark the End Times. I pray for peace, but I know that true peace will only come at the coming of Yeshua. Let’s continue to cry out to heaven that God would send Yeshua and set up his kingdom.