Mohammed Sinwar Killed in Israeli Strike: Netanyahu Confirms Major Blow to Hamas

Hamas Gaza chiefMohammed Sinwar Killed in Israeli Strike: Netanyahu Confirms Major Blow to Hamas.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially confirmed the killing of Mohammed Sinwar, a senior Hamas commander and the younger brother of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

The announcement was made during a Knesset address, where Netanyahu stated the Israeli military had “eliminated Mohammed Sinwar,” marking what he called a pivotal step toward the complete defeat of Hamas.

This confirmation follows earlier speculation that Sinwar had been killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza. Israeli reports suggest the strike targeted an underground Hamas command center located beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, a facility that has since been rendered non-operational.

Mohammed Sinwar Killed in Israeli Strike: Netanyahu Confirms Major Blow to Hamas

Mohammed Sinwar’s Body Recovered from Gaza Tunnel

On May 18, Israeli intelligence sources reported that Mohammed Sinwar’s body was recovered from a tunnel system destroyed in the targeted airstrike.

Defense Minister Israel Katz informed lawmakers in a closed session that “all indications” pointed to Sinwar being killed during the precision strike beneath the hospital compound.

The attack has sparked global concern, as 28 people were reported dead, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Civil Defence agency.

CCTV footage reportedly captured civilians walking in the hospital courtyard just moments before the explosion, intensifying fears of civilian casualties and prompting criticism of Israel’s military tactics.

Who Was Mohammed Sinwar?

Born in 1975 in the Khan Younis refugee camp, Mohammed Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar was a long-time member of Hamas’s Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades. He earned the nickname “the shadow” for his secretive nature and role in orchestrating high-profile operations against Israel.

He gained international notoriety in 2006 for helping to plan the abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, an event that resulted in a massive prisoner exchange in 2011. Among those released was his brother, Yahya Sinwar, who would later become Hamas’s top commander before his death in October 2024.

Following his brother’s death, Mohammed assumed greater leadership within Hamas, becoming a key military figure in southern Gaza and one of Israel’s most wanted men.

A Symbolic and Strategic Loss for Hamas

Netanyahu framed Sinwar’s killing as a major win in Israel’s ongoing war effort, now entering its 20th month. He highlighted the elimination of multiple top Hamas figures, including Mohammed Deif, Ismail Haniyeh, and Yahya Sinwar, alongside Mohammed.

“In 600 days of the War of Revival, we have indeed changed the face of the Middle East,” Netanyahu told the Knesset. “The complete dismantling of Hamas is underway.”

The Israeli Prime Minister also noted a strategic shift in controlling Gaza’s aid distribution, citing it as a tool to weaken Hamas’s grip on the enclave and gain humanitarian leverage.

Chaos at Tel al-Sultan Aid Site Raises Alarm

While the Israeli leadership touted military success, chaos erupted during the launch of a U.S.-backed aid distribution program in Tel al-Sultan, Gaza.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) a controversial initiative supported by the U.S. and Israel faced immediate unrest as thousands of desperate Palestinians swarmed distribution points.

Footage from the scene showed fences collapsing and people scaling barriers in search of food. Israeli troops fired warning shots while American contractors withdrew temporarily. The chaotic aid delivery came after 11 weeks of a blockade, which has left much of Gaza’s population on the brink of famine.

International aid organizations criticized the GHF system for bypassing traditional UN channels, arguing that it violates principles of neutral and impartial humanitarian aid.

The Hostage Crisis Persists

The death of Mohammed Sinwar is unlikely to bring immediate relief to Israel’s ongoing hostage crisis, a central issue in its military campaign. Netanyahu confirmed that 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 confirmed alive and the remainder presumed dead.

“I am fully focused on the mission of bringing back all our hostages both the living and the fallen,” said Netanyahu.

Earlier this month, Hamas released Israeli-American Edan Alexander, calling it a goodwill gesture to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is attempting to broker a new ceasefire deal.

Still, families of hostages say the government must do more. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum responded to Sinwar’s death by stating: “True national victory includes bringing home all the hostages and beginning the restoration of Israeli society.”

International Condemnation Over Civilian Deaths

The airstrike on the European Hospital has ignited an international outcry. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called the attack “abhorrent” and reminded Israel of its obligation under international law to avoid civilian harm during military operations.

The humanitarian toll continues to mount. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, though Israel disputes these numbers, asserting that many of the dead were militants. Over 2 million people have been displaced across Gaza.

A Turning Point in the Israel-Hamas War

The confirmed killing of Mohammed Sinwar represents both a symbolic and tactical blow to Hamas’s military infrastructure.

His death, if also acknowledged by Hamas, could mark a transition in the group’s internal leadership possibly empowering either exiled officials abroad or less experienced commanders on the ground.

Yet despite the string of successful operations, experts caution that Hamas remains resilient, especially given its decentralized network and continued support in parts of Gaza.

The coming weeks may prove decisive in determining whether Israel’s strategy leads to Hamas’s collapse or whether it drives the group deeper underground, prolonging a conflict that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Conclusion

With the elimination of Mohammed Sinwar, Israel has struck a significant blow to Hamas’s top command, delivering what Netanyahu describes as a “dramatic shift” in the conflict. However, the war in Gaza continues to exact a heavy humanitarian cost, and the long-term effectiveness of Israel’s strategy remains uncertain.

The next phase of the conflict will likely center on hostage recovery efforts, international diplomatic mediation, and whether Hamas can regroup amid growing internal and external pressure. As the war drags on, the question remains: is Israel any closer to ending this devastating cycle of violence?

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