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Gaza Strip – May 18, 2025
Amid the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hamas, reports have emerged that Muhammad Sinwar, a senior Hamas commander and younger brother of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, has been killed in an Israeli strike on a tunnel network in Khan Younis, Gaza.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz disclosed during a closed-door session with lawmakers that, “Based on all available intelligence, Muhammad Sinwar was killed in an airstrike conducted near the European Hospital in Khan Younis.” The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had reportedly targeted a sophisticated tunnel complex beneath the hospital grounds last week.
While official confirmation from the Israeli government remains pending, Saudi news outlet Al-Hadath has reported that Sinwar’s body, along with the remains of 10 of his close aides, was discovered at the scene. The report also suggested that Mohammad Shabana, commander of Hamas’s Rafah Brigade, may have been among the deceased.
The development marks a significant moment in the ongoing Gaza-Israel war, which has seen heightened military operations and the targeted elimination of Hamas leadership figures by Israeli forces.
Rise of Muhammad Sinwar
Born in 1975 in the Khan Yunis refugee camp, Muhammad Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar rose through the ranks of Hamas as both a military strategist and a key political operator. His secretive persona earned him the nickname “The Shadow” among Israeli intelligence officials.
Sinwar gained notoriety in 2006 for his involvement in the abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, which eventually led to a prisoner swap deal in 2011. He spent extended periods in both Israeli and Palestinian Authority prisons, where he forged strong relationships with Hamas leadership and strategized future operations.
Following the death of his brother Yahya Sinwar in October 2024, Muhammad assumed command of both the military and political apparatus of Hamas in Gaza. Yahya, regarded as the architect of the deadly October 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel, was killed by Israeli forces in Rafah during a firefight.
Strategic Leadership and Legacy
Under Muhammad Sinwar’s leadership, Hamas intensified its recruitment operations, expanded its tunnel warfare strategy, and launched continued attacks against Israeli forces. Despite heavy Israeli aerial bombardments and ground operations, Sinwar managed to retain a grip on Gaza’s internal control mechanisms.
He was seen as a ruthless and pragmatic tactician, known for employing asymmetric warfare tactics and using Gaza’s dense urban landscape to his advantage. Israel had placed a multi-million-dollar bounty on his head, listing him among the most wanted fugitives due to his operational significance.
His tenure also saw attempts to consolidate Hamas’s influence by suppressing dissent and leveraging humanitarian aid channels to maintain political leverage, despite Gaza’s deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
Yahya Sinwar’s Death and Its Aftermath
Yahya Sinwar, a former head of Hamas in Gaza and a figurehead for the group’s militant ideology, was confirmed killed on October 16, 2024. His body, bearing multiple injuries including a gunshot wound to the head, was identified via DNA and dental records.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Yahya Sinwar’s death as a “crucial blow to Hamas’s operational core” but emphasized that the broader military campaign would continue unabated.
In the wake of Yahya’s death, Hamas portrayed him as a martyr and vowed retaliation, further escalating the conflict. Muhammad Sinwar, then next in command, quickly stepped in to reorganize and reinforce the group’s resistance efforts.
Ongoing Conflict in Gaza
The situation in Gaza remains dire. Israeli forces continue to pursue strategic targets, including command centers, weapon depots, and tunnel networks used by Hamas. According to IDF reports, over 300 kilometers of tunnels have been destroyed or rendered inoperative since the war’s escalation.
Israel maintains that its operations are focused on neutralizing Hamas infrastructure and protecting civilian lives in Israel, while Hamas accuses Israel of disproportionate force and collective punishment. The conflict has led to thousands of civilian casualties, widespread displacement, and international appeals for de-escalation.
The reported death of Muhammad Sinwar, if confirmed, would mark another significant milestone in Israel’s military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas’s top leadership. However, it is also likely to trigger renewed retaliation from Hamas factions and prolong the conflict further.
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