Hamas chief Mohammad Sinwar killed in May 13 strikes, Israeli military confirms Netanyahu's claim

The Israeli military on Saturday confirmed the death of Mohammad Sinwar, Hamas’ Gaza chief, stating he was killed in an airstrike on 13 May.

This confirmation comes three days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a similar claim. The Israeli military and Shin Bet security agency said a 13 May strike had killed Sinwar.

In a joint statement, they said the airstrike on the grounds of the European Hospital in Khan Younis also killed Muhammad Shabana, commander of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade, and Mahdi Quara, commander of the South Khan Younis Battalion.

“The terrorists were eliminated while operating in an underground command and control centre beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, deliberately endangering the civilian population in and around the hospital,” the statement said, as cited by The Times of Israel.

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Prime Minister Netanyahu had earlier announced Sinwar’s death. He was targeted in an Israeli strike on a hospital in southern Gaza earlier this month.

“We eliminated Mohammad Deif, [Ismail] Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Sinwar,” Prime Minister Netanyahu told the Knesset, adding that Israel is now making a major push towards completely defeating Hamas. Hamas has not yet confirmed the death of Mohammed Sinwar.

Hamas’ last man standing

In the last 20 months, Israel has severely weakened Hamas, targeting both its leadership and organisational structure.

Mohammad Sinwar was the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader and alleged mastermind behind the October 2023 attack on Israel.

Military chief Mohammad Deif and political leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in July last year, while Yahya Sinwar, believed to be the key planner of the October 2023 attacks, was shot dead in October.

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At the time of his death, Yahya Sinwar was Hamas’ most powerful and well-known leader. Unlike other top Hamas officials who moved to Qatar for safety, he stayed in Gaza and directly coordinated military operations. After his death, his brother Mohammed was unofficially chosen by Hamas fighters to take charge.