Tel Aviv: In a major breakthrough in its ongoing military campaign against Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday confirmed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have killed Muhammad Sinwar, the Gaza-based commander of the militant group.
Speaking in Hebrew during a session at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Netanyahu declared, “We eliminated Muhammad Sinwar. We had previously eliminated Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammed Deif, Yahya Sinwar — and now, Muhammad Sinwar.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu confirms from the Knesset stage, "We eliminated Muhammad Sinwar" pic.twitter.com/tmkMxMu1Sw
— הרדאר The Radar (@haradar10) May 28, 2025
Speculation had been swirling since May 14, when Israeli forces launched a targeted airstrike on a key Hamas underground command center in Khan Younis. At the time, Israeli officials withheld confirmation, citing lack of conclusive evidence about Sinwar’s fate. However, Wednesday’s announcement puts an end to the uncertainty.
According to intelligence sources, Muhammad Sinwar was sheltering in a subterranean command facility beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis when the IDF executed a series of high-precision drone strikes. The facility, reportedly used by Hamas to coordinate operations, was decimated in the assault.
The deceased commander was the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, a former Hamas leader and the architect of the deadly October 7, 2023 terror attack that triggered the ongoing Gaza conflict. Yahya was killed in a clash with Israeli forces in October 2024. He had risen to power following the assassination of his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, in Iran — also at the hands of Israeli operatives.
Following Yahya’s death, Muhammad Sinwar was elevated to lead Hamas’ Gaza operations, becoming one of the last remaining top commanders of the group in the region.
The Israeli military also released footage of the aftermath of the May 14 strike, showing the tunnel network beneath the hospital that led to the now-destroyed Hamas stronghold.
With Muhammad Sinwar’s death, Israel claims a significant blow has been dealt to the militant group’s leadership structure in Gaza, further escalating the already intense conflict.
