Body of terror boss Sinwar could become ‘bargaining chip’ in new hostage deal as Israel issues chilling warning to Hamas

THE body of terror kingpin Yahya Sinwar could be used as a "bargaining chip" to bring back remaining Israeli hostages, military bosses have said.

Dubbed "Gaza's Bin Laden", Sinwar - who orchestrated the horrific massacre of some 1,200 people on October 7 - was swiftly killed by the Israel Defence Forces inside Gaza.

Sinwar is said to have been taken out in a battle with Israeli soldiers while they were carrying out a routine check inside Rafah, southern Gaza, on Wednesday (October 17).

The terror boss was at the very top of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) kill list for over a year.

Israeli troops struck a building with an airstrike on Wednesday killing three Hamas terrorists.

The building collapsed - and as troops picked through the rubble, they came across a corpse that reportedly "looked very much like" Sinwar.

Extensive DNA and dental tests later confirmed his identity.

His body is currently being held at a secret location by the Israeli forces.

Israeli officials have now hinted towards a potential hostage deal with what remains of Hamas' last governing officials in exchange for Sinwar's mortal remains, sources have told CNN.

An Israeli diplomatic source said: "If Hamas wants to swap his remains for Israelis, dead or alive, then fine ... Otherwise, handing him over is not going to happen."

A second source said that Hamas supporters would be desperate to get Sinwar's body back, who would then turn his grave into a shrine to inspire future terrorists.

Israeli Prime Minister said this week he would allow Hamas terrorists to "get out" of Gaza and "live" if they returned all the remaining hostages.

However, fears are that a hostage deal will not take place until Hamas chooses its next leader.

Muhammad Sinwar, the slain terror chief's brother, is being seen as the next possible successor to take over the terror outfit.

He became the de facto second-in-command of Hamas' leadership in Gaza following the deaths of top Hamas military commanders, such as Mohammed Deif and Marwan Issa.

Mohammed became a trusted confidant of Yahya, being one of the few people who knew where the Hamas boss was hiding during the war.

Israeli officials warned that Muhammad is as much of a hardliner as his brother, and could pose as a major obstacle in a potential hostage deal - especially after Israel killed his brother.

Grisha Yakubovich, a former senior Israeli military official and expert on Palestinian affairs, explained how brother Mohammed Sinwar's rise to power poses a significant danger.

He told The Sun: “Mohammed Sinwar is just as radical, if not more, than Yahya Sinwar.

"If he takes over the leadership of Hamas, the situation could become significantly worse.”

Mohammed, though operating largely behind the scenes, is said to have earned a reputation for being ruthless and uncompromising.

According to Yakubovich, his leadership style could push the group into even more violent confrontations with Israel.

“He’s in the top of the military wing,” Yakubovich pointed out, referring to Mohammed’s key role in Hamas’ military operations.

“He’s one of the strongest players. If Yahya is killed, Mohammed could rise quickly.”

Unlike Yahya, who has made headlines for his terror activities over the years, 49-year-old Mohammed operates more in the shadows, but his influence is undeniable, the expert said.

DIED LIKE A DOG

Sinwar was taken out by a trainee squad of Israeli commandos after being left as the cowering final survivor of a gunfight.

Sinwar had his last humiliating moments sitting slumped over in an armchair in a bombed-out building in the Strip as he feebly tried to fight off an Israeli drone with a stick.

An autopsy revealed that Sinwar was likely wiped out by a long-range gunshot to the head - executed with sniper-like precision.

His corpse was also riddled with shrapnel fragments after the house he was in was blasted by a tank.

He was discovered by the troops armed with a flak jacket, 40,000 shekels ($10,731.63), and a firearm.

"He tried to escape and our forces eliminated him," Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said during a televised briefing.

Graphic images shared online on Thursday appeared to show his dead body in the ruins of the struck building in Rafah, with a horrific head wound.

The pictured body appeared to have the same mole as Sinwar next to his left eye as well as similar earlobes and teeth.

Soldiers involved in the strike reportedly did not realise who they took out until they saw his corpse.

His death was later confirmed by foreign minister Israel Katz who said: "Mass murderer Yahya Sinwar, who was responsible for the massacre and atrocities of 7 October, was killed today by IDF soldiers."

Katz dubbed Sinwar's death a "great military and moral achievement for Israel".

The army later released footage of Sinwar's final moments, hunched over and wounded inside a bombed building in Gaza.

Netanyahu and top army officials have repeatedly vowed to take out Sinwar since October 7 last year.

The Hamas terror attack on Israeli soil killed over 1,200 people and saw some 250 more kidnapped into Gaza.

It sparked a horrific war in which more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes - according to the UN and other international human rights groups.

Israel recently launched a ground operation in Lebanon too, where Hamas ally Hezbollah is based, with Lebanese officials reporting the number of people killed as more than 2,300.