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On October 17, 2024, media reports said that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during a strike in Rafah, Gaza. Photos of a corpse resembling Sinwar have been circulating online as the IDF conducts DNA tests to determine if it was him.
A pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Telegram channel, celebrated Sinwar's death, considering the Sunni leader who was collaborating with the Shi'ite regime in Iran to be an "apostate." Accusing Iran-backed militias of killing Sunni Muslims, the outlet condemned Hamas and Sinwar for aligning with Iran and for serving its interests in the region.
"The damned one died while he was loyal to the polytheists [i.e., Shi'ite Iran] who killed Muslims and cursed the honorable companions and the best of messengers [i.e., Prophet Muhammad].The damned one died while on his neck was the blood of tens of thousands of Palestinians whom he offered as a sacrifice to his goddess Iran and to achieve its project of spreading the religion of Rafidha [rejectionist, a pejorative term for Shi'ites] in Gaza."
Another pro-ISIS media outlet shared commentary saying that Sinwar's death was a matter of time, arguing that unbelievers like him are doomed to be killed sooner or later: "It was only a matter of time; for unbelief has no friend, and the grave mistake that a leader insists on persisting in is diving into the same swamp, and walking on the same deadly thorns, during which their arrogance prevents them from admitting that they are misguided and foolish!"
Citing remarks by U.S. Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer about Sinwar's death, the writer mocked his statements, saying that he hopes that the killing of Sinwar will pave the way for the quick return of Israeli hostages and will lead to the provision of humanitarian relief and a new path forward for the people of Gaza. The writer continued: "Despite all its prostration, Hamas is still the cause of the Gaza catastrophe in the eyes of its Western idol! They even hope that the killing of its leaders will be a gateway to good for the future of Palestine!"
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