Netanyahu Verifies Hamas Gaza Chief Mohammad Sinwar Died During Ongoing Attack

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, has confirmed that Hamas Gaza leader Muhammad Sinwar has died.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged that a military operation in southern Gaza killed Mohammad Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza and one of the organization’s most wanted individuals. Netanyahu announced the removal of Sinwar as part of a significant change in Israel’s strategy against the extremist group in a speech to the Knesset, the country’s parliament, on Wednesday.

Netanyahu stated, “We eliminated Mohammad Deif, Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammad Sinwar,” citing a list of important Hamas commanders who were allegedly taken out by Israeli soldiers. This is the first official confirmation of Mohammad Sinwar’s passing following weeks of conjecture.

Earlier in May, an Israeli airstrike targeted a hospital in southern Gaza, killing Sinwar. Netanyahu said on May 21 that it was “likely” that he had been killed in the attack. His passing severely damages Hamas’ organizational leadership. Following the murder of his older brother, Yahya Sinwar, in fighting by Israeli forces last year, Sinwar advanced in rank.

Yahya Sinwar, who is mostly credited with orchestrating the October 2023 Hamas-led assault on Israel that sparked the present conflict, assumed leadership of the organization upon Ismail Haniyeh’s passing in Iran. Since then, his younger brother, Muhammad, has taken over as commander in Gaza.

Israeli operations have stepped up in the 20th month of the war with the goal of destroying Hamas’ infrastructure and leadership. The current phase, according to Netanyahu, is a “dramatic turn towards a complete defeat of Hamas,” highlighting new measures such as Israeli authority over food distribution in Gaza, which is currently run by an aid organization supported by the United States.

Hamas has not formally acknowledged Mohammad Sinwar’s passing, even after Netanyahu’s declaration.

As humanitarian conditions in Gaza worsen and Israel continues to advance its military goals, the conflict continues to get international attention.