The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the death of senior Hamas figure Mohammed Sinwar, announcing on Sunday that his body was recovered from a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in southern Gaza.
Sinwar, the younger brother of the previously eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, was one of the most elusive operatives in the group’s hierarchy. His death follows a significant Israeli airstrike on May 13 that targeted underground infrastructure in Khan Younis.
The operation was aimed at a suspected Hamas command-and-control centre hidden beneath the hospital. According to the IDF, the tunnel served as a strategic hub for militant operations.
At the time, the military stated it had struck “Hamas terrorists in a command-and-control center” embedded within underground facilities below the hospital grounds. The confirmation of Sinwar’s death, however, took over two weeks following an extensive identification process.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the killing of Mohammed Sinwar in a recent address to the Knesset, aligning it with a broader series of high-profile eliminations that included senior Hamas figures.
“We changed the face of the Middle East, we pushed the terrorists from our territories, we entered the Gaza Strip with force, we eliminated tens of thousands of terrorists, we eliminated (Mohammad) Deif, (Ismail) Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Sinwar,” Netanyahu declared during the speech marking the 600th day of the war.
The May 13 airstrike resulted in significant collateral damage. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that the strike killed 28 Palestinians and left more than 50 others wounded. The attack drew sharp criticism from humanitarian organisations, with concerns raised about the use of medical facilities in military operations.
Despite the successive killings of top Hamas leaders, including Mohammed Sinwar, analysts suggest the group retains considerable influence and control in the besieged enclave. The militant organisation, although weakened, is yet to collapse under the weight of Israel’s military pressure.
Mohammed Sinwar had long evaded capture or confirmed death, making him a symbolic figure in the eyes of both supporters and adversaries. His demise, coinciding with the release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander just a day earlier, underscores the intensity of the ongoing conflict.
The discovery of Sinwar’s body marks a significant intelligence and operational victory for Israel. It also underscores the deepening complexity of warfare in Gaza, where militant infrastructure is often interwoven with civilian zones.
Key Points
Who was Mohammed Sinwar?
A high-ranking Hamas leader and brother of former leader Yahya Sinwar.
Where was he found?
In a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in southern Gaza.
When was the strike?
May 13, a day after Hamas released soldier Edan Alexander.
How many casualties?
28 Palestinians killed, over 50 wounded, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The confirmation of Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar killed not only signals another milestone in Israel’s targeted operations but also highlights the enduring volatility and humanitarian costs of the ongoing war in Gaza.
