Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that Israeli forces have likely killed Mohammed Sinwar, a senior Hamas leader and the brother of Hamas chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar. This development marks a significant moment in Israel’s ongoing military campaign against the Palestinian Islamist group in Gaza.
Mohammed Sinwar, who played a central role in Hamas’ military operations, was reportedly targeted in an airstrike weeks ago. While Israel has not recovered his body or issued formal confirmation, Netanyahu said intelligence and battlefield reports strongly suggest he was killed in the attack. “We have reason to believe that Mohammed Sinwar is no longer alive,” Netanyahu said during a televised address. “This is a major blow to Hamas’s operational command.”
The statement follows weeks of speculation surrounding the fate of the Sinwar brothers, both of whom have been at the top of Israel’s most-wanted list since the October 2023 Hamas-led assault that triggered the latest war. Yahya Sinwar, widely believed to be hiding in Hamas’s underground tunnel network, remains at large.
Netanyahu’s remarks come amid intensified Israeli operations in Rafah, a southern Gaza city where Israeli forces have pushed forward despite international criticism. Israel says the area is a final stronghold for Hamas’s leadership and critical tunnel infrastructure. Netanyahu defended the ongoing offensive, stating that dismantling Hamas’s command structure remains a top priority. “We will not stop until Hamas can no longer threaten Israeli citizens,” he said.
The killing of Mohammed Sinwar, if confirmed, would represent one of the most significant assassinations of a Hamas commander since the start of the conflict. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the operation as “a strategic success,” saying Israeli forces had made significant inroads in dismantling Hamas’s leadership and logistics networks.
In Gaza, Hamas has yet to publicly confirm Mohammed Sinwar’s death. A spokesperson for the group dismissed the Israeli claim as “psychological warfare” and insisted that its leadership remains intact and operational. The militant group also vowed to continue its resistance, accusing Israel of committing war crimes in Rafah and other parts of Gaza.
The news arrives amid growing global calls for a ceasefire. The United Nations and several Western governments have raised alarms over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, particularly following Israel’s recent incursions into southern Gaza. The Biden administration has urged restraint, while continuing to support Israel’s right to defend itself.
According to Palestinian health officials, over 35,000 people have been killed since the conflict erupted, a majority of them civilians. Israel disputes those numbers and says it takes steps to minimize civilian harm while targeting Hamas infrastructure.
Domestically, Netanyahu is facing both political pressure and public scrutiny. While many Israelis support the war’s objectives, there is increasing concern over its duration and the lack of a clear post-conflict plan. The fate of Israeli hostages held by Hamas remains a critical and emotional issue, and calls are mounting for a negotiated resolution that prioritizes their release.
Tuesday’s announcement appears intended to reaffirm the government’s progress in the war, even as diplomatic isolation grows. Netanyahu stated that operations will continue “for as long as necessary,” signaling no imminent shift in strategy despite international demands for de-escalation.
As the conflict grinds on, the potential death of Mohammed Sinwar may mark a tactical victory for Israel. However, it is unlikely to significantly alter the broader dynamics of a war that has now stretched into its seventh month with no clear end in sight.
Source: Reuters
