A still from a video obtained by the IDF that it says shows Mohammed Sinwar
| Published May 28, 2025
Mohammad Sinwar was elevated to the top ranks of the Palestinian militant group last year after Israel killed his brother Yahya in combat during the ongoing war in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli forces had eliminated Mohammed Sinwar, the Hamas chief in Gaza and younger brother of the group’s former leader Yahya Sinwar. Mohammed Sinwar had been a key target and was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike on May 13, 2025, targeting a Hamas command center beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
Mohammed Sinwar rose to prominence within Hamas following the death of his brother Yahya Sinwar in October 2024. Yahya had been a central figure in orchestrating the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which escalated into the ongoing conflict. After Yahya’s death, Mohammed assumed leadership roles, including commander of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing.
While Netanyahu confirmed Mohammed Sinwar’s death, Hamas has not yet officially acknowledged it. The Israeli military has previously released footage purportedly showing Sinwar traveling through Hamas’s underground tunnel network, highlighting his significance within the organization’s hierarchy.
The elimination of Mohammed Sinwar is part of Israel’s broader strategy to dismantle Hamas’s leadership. Netanyahu also claimed the deaths of other senior Hamas figures, including Mohammad Deif and Ismail Haniyeh, though these assertions have not been independently verified.
In the wake of these developments, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, known as the “Ghost of the Gaza Strip,” is believed to have taken over as the head of Hamas’s armed wing in Gaza. Al-Haddad has been instrumental in planning and executing military operations against Israel and is currently overseeing the northern sector of the Gaza Strip.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties and humanitarian concerns. According to reports, over 54,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have lost their lives since the escalation began in October 2023. Humanitarian groups continue to express alarm over the conditions in Gaza, emphasizing the need for increased aid and protection for civilians.
Here are the key implications of the reported elimination of Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas’s Gaza chief, by Israeli forces:
1. Decapitation of Hamas Leadership in Gaza
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Leadership Vacuum: If confirmed, Sinwar’s death removes another senior military figure after Yahya Sinwar and Mohammad Deif, potentially disrupting Hamas’s command structure in Gaza.
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Short-Term Confusion: The loss may delay Hamas operations or shift command to more radical or decentralized factions.
2. Strategic Victory for Israel
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Symbolic and Tactical Win: Israel’s success in targeting top Hamas leaders reinforces its message of precision and determination in dismantling Hamas’s leadership.
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Public Morale Boost: This serves as a political and military victory for Netanyahu’s government, which has faced criticism over war duration and civilian casualties.
3. Intensification of the Conflict
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Possible Retaliation by Hamas: Hamas may respond with escalated attacks or rocket barrages, especially as Israel claims it’s dismantling Hamas’s core leadership.
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Wider Regional Repercussions: The killing could reignite tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon, or provoke reactions from Iran-backed militias elsewhere.
4. Rise of New Hardline Leaders
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Emergence of Izz al-Din al-Haddad: Nicknamed the “Ghost of Gaza,” Haddad’s reported rise may lead to more covert, unpredictable strategies against Israel.
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Generational Shift: Younger or more radical commanders might escalate the war or reject negotiated solutions.
5. Humanitarian Concerns and Civilian Impact
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Civilian Suffering Persists: Despite leadership losses, the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza has resulted in high civilian casualties and dire humanitarian conditions.
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International Scrutiny: Further escalation could increase pressure on Israel to halt operations and push for ceasefires, especially amid growing global fatigue and outrage over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
6. Political Implications
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For Netanyahu: This strike may shore up political support domestically, showing resolve and strength.
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For Hamas: It may weaken Hamas’s internal cohesion or open space for rival factions like Palestinian Islamic Jihad to gain influence.
Overall Takeaway:
The reported killing of Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas’s Gaza chief, represents a major tactical and symbolic victory for Israel in its effort to dismantle Hamas’s leadership. It underscores Israel’s continued intelligence reach and operational capability deep inside Gaza. However, while it may temporarily disrupt Hamas’s command structure, it is unlikely to end hostilities. Instead, it could usher in a more unpredictable phase of the conflict, marked by retaliation, leadership reshuffling, and prolonged humanitarian suffering. The broader impact depends on how both Hamas and regional actors respond—and whether diplomatic channels push for de-escalation or further entrenchment.
SOURCES: REUTERS – Netanyahu says Hamas Gaza chief Mohammad Sinwar has been killed
SKY NEWS – Hamas’s Gaza chief ‘eliminated’, says Netanyahu – but military sources say they cannot confirm death
DECCAN HERALD – Hamas Gaza chief Mohammed Sinwar has been eliminated: Netanyahu
NBC NEWS – Hamas’ Gaza chief Mohammed Sinwar has been killed, Netanyahu says
