Israeli Air Strike Kills Hamas Leader Mohammed Sinwar In Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Mohammed Sinwar, the de facto leader of Hamas in Gaza, was likely killed in an Israeli air strike. The attack, which targeted an underground Hamas command centre beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis on 13 May 2025, has been described as a major blow to the militant group’s leadership structure.
According to Israeli officials, the strike was launched based on intelligence indicating Mohammed Sinwar’s presence in a tunnel complex in southern Gaza. The operation, authorised by Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, involved precision munitions and bunker-busting bombs aimed at dismantling Hamas’s underground infrastructure. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported that the strike resulted in at least 28 deaths and over 50 injuries, though it did not confirm Sinwar’s death at the time.
Mohammed Sinwar, the younger brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024, had assumed a prominent role in the organisation’s military wing following the deaths of other senior figures, including Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh. Regarded as a hardline commander, Sinwar was believed to be a key planner of the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and sparked the ongoing war in Gaza. His leadership was seen as an obstacle to ceasefire negotiations, with Israeli officials describing him as uncompromising in hostage release talks.
Reports from Saudi outlets Al-Hadath and Al-Arabiya indicated that Sinwar’s body was recovered from the ruins of the targeted tunnel, alongside the remains of 10 aides, including Mohammed Shabana, commander of Hamas’s Rafah Brigade. While Israel has not officially confirmed the deaths, Defence Minister Katz told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee on 18 May 2025 that “according to all indications, Mohammed Sinwar was eliminated.” Hamas has yet to confirm or deny the reports, stating that only its official platforms are authorised to comment on such matters.
The strike has intensified Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launching extensive operations, including a new ground offensive dubbed “Operation Gideon’s Chariots.” Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is dismantled, stating, “Anyone who calls on us to stop the war before these goals are achieved is calling on us to leave Hamas in power.” The operation comes amidst heightened regional tensions, with ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Doha and discussions involving US envoys regarding hostage releases.
The Gaza health ministry reported that over 53,000 people have been killed in the conflict since October 2023, with recent strikes claiming hundreds of lives in a matter of days. The targeting of the European Hospital has drawn criticism, with local sources reporting significant damage to the facility and surrounding areas, leaving medical staff and patients in fear.
While the reported death of Mohammed Sinwar represents a tactical victory for Israel, analysts suggest it may not fundamentally alter Hamas’s operations, given the group’s history of resilience despite leadership losses. The conflict continues to exact a heavy toll on both sides, with no immediate end in sight.
