Israeli PM announces death of Hamas's Gaza chief Mohammed Sinwar

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that Mohammed Sinwar, believed to be the head of Hamas’ armed wing in Gaza, has been killed in an Israeli strike. Hamas has not yet confirmed the report.

Mohammed Sinwar is the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, a senior Hamas leader who played a key role in the October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the Israel-Hamas war. Yahya Sinwar was reportedly killed by Israeli forces in October 2024, according to the Associated Press.

Over the course of the 19-month conflict, Israeli strikes have significantly weakened Hamas’ leadership. Mohammed Sinwar was one of the last senior leaders remaining active in Gaza. Despite this, Hamas continues to control areas of Gaza not occupied by Israeli forces, holds dozens of hostages, and carries out intermittent attacks.

As head of Hamas’ military wing, Sinwar would have held substantial authority over hostage negotiations, and his death could complicate ongoing U.S. and Arab efforts to broker a ceasefire. Israel has vowed to continue the conflict until all hostages are released and Hamas is disarmed or defeated.

In a speech before parliament, Netanyahu listed several top Hamas figures killed during the war, saying, “We have killed tens of thousands of terrorists. We killed Mohammed Deif, Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammed Sinwar.”

Israeli media reported that Sinwar was the target of a May 13 airstrike on a Hamas command center beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, the Sinwar family’s hometown. The Israeli military declined to confirm the target or outcome of the strike.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that at least six people were killed and 40 wounded in the attack.