Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Wednesday that Mohammad Sinwar, a senior Hamas chief and brother of Yahya Sinwar, the group’s former leader who masterminded the October 2023 attacks, has been killed in Gaza.
In a speech to the Israeli parliament, Netanyahu announced that Mohammad Sinwar had been “eliminated” in a recent Israeli strike. He listed Sinwar among several Hamas leaders killed over the past 20 months.
The Israeli military had earlier targeted a hospital in southern Gaza in May, and Netanyahu said at the time it was likely that Mohammad Sinwar had died in that strike. His death has now been confirmed, although Hamas has yet to respond publicly.
Netanyahu described the latest developments as a turning point in Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza. “In the last two days we have been in a dramatic turn towards a complete defeat of Hamas,” he said.
BIG BREAKING
Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas Gaza chief, KILLED — Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu confirms.
Peace coming or more war on the way? Let’s talk
pic.twitter.com/DHktZIE405
— Manni (@ThadhaniManish_) May 28, 2025
He also mentioned that Israel had begun overseeing food distribution in Gaza through a system managed by a U.S.-backed group.
The confirmation comes as Israel intensifies its operations in Gaza, following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire with Hamas in March. Israeli officials say their goals include dismantling Hamas’ governing and military operations and securing the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants crossed into southern Israel and attacked towns and villages, killing about 1,200 people, most of them civilians.
More than 250 people were taken hostage and brought back to Gaza. Some hostages have since been released, but many remain captive.
Israel’s response has led to large-scale destruction across Gaza. Health authorities in the enclave report that more than 53,000 people have been killed since the conflict began.
Over 2 million Palestinians have been displaced. While officials in Gaza say most of the dead have been civilians, they have not specified how many fighters were among them.
Israel claims that tens of thousands of Hamas militants have been killed, but it has not provided evidence to support those figures.
On May 26, Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said Hamas had lost major assets, including its command and control centre. He described the damage as a significant blow to the group’s ability to operate.
Yahya Sinwar is dead.
He was killed in Rafah by the brave soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces.
While this is not the end of the war in Gaza, it’s the beginning of the end. pic.twitter.com/C6wAaLH1YW
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 17, 2024
Mohammad Sinwar rose to a senior role in Hamas last year after Yahya Sinwar, who led the October 2023 attack, was killed in an Israeli operation. Yahya was appointed the group’s top leader after the death of Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Iran. The conflict has now stretched into its 20th month with no immediate signs of resolution.
