Gaza: Netanyahu Announces Death of Mohammed Sinwar, Alleged Head of Hamas’s Military Wing

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday, May 28, before the Knesset, that Israel had eliminated Mohammed Sinwar, described as the head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “We drove the terrorists from our territory, forcefully entered Gaza, eliminated tens of thousands of terrorists, and eliminated (…) Mohammed Sinwar,” he declared. As of now, neither the Israeli military nor Hamas has confirmed the information.

A Targeted Strike Beneath a Khan Younis Hospital

Mohammed Sinwar, the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar — the former top leader of Hamas who was killed by Israeli forces in Rafah in October 2024 — was considered by several analysts to be the operational commander of Hamas’s armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. Both the political and military branches of Hamas are classified as terrorist organizations by the United States and the European Union.

The airstrike that allegedly targeted Mohammed Sinwar took place on May 13, when the Israeli military reported hitting a Hamas command and control center located beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. According to Israeli media outlets, Sinwar was the primary target of that operation.

A Key Figure in Hamas’s Military Strategy

Following the deaths of multiple senior Hamas leaders over the past 19 months, Mohammed Sinwar is believed to have played a central role in indirect negotiations with Israel, particularly regarding the fate of Israeli hostages, while also overseeing Hamas’s military operations.

As of now, Hamas has not issued a response to Netanyahu’s announcement.