Israeli Military Confirms Killing Of Muhammad Sinwar, Senior Hamas Commander In Gaza
The Israeli military announced Saturday night that it had killed Muhammad Sinwar, one of Hamas’s top military commanders in Gaza, during airstrikes earlier this month targeting the vicinity of a hospital in southern Gaza.
Hamas has not yet confirmed the death of Sinwar. Historically, the Palestinian militant group has delayed announcing the deaths of its leaders, often waiting weeks or months, if at all, to acknowledge such losses.
The killing of Sinwar leaves the leadership hierarchy of Hamas in Gaza uncertain. Another senior Hamas militant, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, is believed to be commanding the group’s remaining fighters in northern Gaza. Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, issued a direct threat to both Haddad and Khalil al-Hayya, a Hamas leader in exile, stating, “You are next in line.”
Despite Sinwar’s death, analysts caution that Hamas’s overall strategy and operations may remain unchanged. Since the war began over a year and a half ago, Israel has repeatedly targeted and killed top Hamas leaders, only to see the group persist in its guerrilla warfare against Israel in Gaza.
The targeted strike occurred near the European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, where Sinwar was reportedly present. The Gaza health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, reported at least six people killed and 40 wounded in that strike. Israeli officials privately confirmed the attack was aimed at Sinwar, though they initially withheld his name.
Muhammad Sinwar, the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar—an architect of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and killed by Israeli forces last year—had been a longstanding figure within Hamas leadership. Born in Khan Younis to a family displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, Sinwar rose through Hamas ranks to its top military echelons.
In addition to the Sinwar brothers, other key Hamas leaders have been killed in recent months, including Muhammad Deif, commander of Hamas’s military wing, and Ismail Haniyeh, the group’s political chief, who died during a visit to Iran.
Though these losses have disrupted Hamas’s leadership, Israeli intelligence assessments indicate the militant group still commands roughly 20,000 fighters, about the same number as before the war. Gaza has suffered heavy casualties, with more than 54,000 people reported killed since hostilities began, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Sinwar had spent much of the conflict underground to evade airstrikes but was seen above ground recently in Khan Younis, including near Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military had previously raided his office in late 2023, uncovering military documents.
Sinwar’s militant history includes responsibility for the 2006 abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was held captive in Gaza for five years before being exchanged for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including Sinwar’s older brother, Yahya.
Since the October 2023 attack, Hamas has held approximately 250 Israeli hostages, using them as leverage in negotiations. About 20 hostages are still believed to be alive in Gaza.
On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially confirmed Muhammad Sinwar’s death, calling it a significant milestone in Israel’s efforts against Hamas. Netanyahu declared in parliament that Yahya Sinwar had been “eliminated,” along with other senior Hamas figures over the past 20 months.
“In the last two days we have been in a dramatic turn towards a complete defeat of Hamas,” Netanyahu said. He also highlighted Israel’s new food distribution system in Gaza, managed by a U.S.-backed group, signaling intensified Israeli military efforts following a broken ceasefire agreement with Hamas in March.
Israel has reiterated that its campaign aims to dismantle Hamas’s military and governing capabilities and secure the release of all hostages held in Gaza.
world