Mohammad Sinwar Killed in Gaza, Says Netanyahu

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday announced the death of Mohammad Sinwar, the Gaza chief of Hamas and younger brother of Yahya Sinwar.

Netanyahu said Israeli forces eliminated Mohammad Sinwar in a recent military strike. He made the announcement during an address to Israel’s parliament, where he named several other Hamas leaders allegedly killed by Israeli operations over the past 20 months.

“In the last two days, we have seen a dramatic turn towards the complete defeat of Hamas,” Netanyahu declared. “Mohammad Sinwar has been eliminated.”

Israeli forces had targeted Sinwar earlier this month in a strike on a hospital in southern Gaza. At the time, Netanyahu said it was “likely” that Sinwar had died. Wednesday’s statement marked the first official confirmation by the Israeli government.

However, Hamas has not confirmed Sinwar’s death.

Mohammad Sinwar rose to a top position in Hamas last year after his brother Yahya Sinwar, the former leader of the group in Gaza, was killed during Israeli combat operations.

Netanyahu also said Israel was “taking control of food distribution” in Gaza, referring to a new U.S.-backed aid system operating in the war-torn strip. The statement followed growing criticism of Israel’s role in worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The announcement comes as Israel steps up its military campaign in Gaza, following the collapse of a ceasefire with Hamas in March. Israeli air and ground assaults have intensified, with heavy bombings reported across the southern and central regions of Gaza.

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Since the war began on October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 53,000 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Most of the victims are women and children, the ministry says. Over two million people have been displaced from their homes.

Israel claims to have killed tens of thousands of Hamas fighters but has not provided clear evidence. Most global rights groups and independent analysts say the majority of casualties are civilians.

Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said on May 26 that Hamas had suffered heavy losses. “They have lost many of their assets, including command and control systems,” he said.

Mohammad Sinwar had been viewed as a key figure in Hamas’ military leadership following his brother’s death. His reported killing marks another high-level blow to the group, though analysts warn it may do little to end the war or reduce resistance in Gaza.

International pressure continues to mount over Israel’s ongoing offensive. Humanitarian groups have warned of famine-like conditions in parts of Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further civilian casualties.

As of now, neither Hamas nor independent sources have confirmed the Israeli claim about Sinwar’s death.

The conflict shows no signs of ending, with talks stalled and violence surging across the besieged territory.