Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, on Wednesday announced that Mohammad Sinwar, the chief of Hamas in Gaza and younger brother of the deceased Yahya Sinwar, who was the group’s leader, has been eliminated. The incident comes seven months later, when Yahya was killed by a headshot during an hour-long firefight with trainee soldiers on a routine operation in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip.
This marks the first official confirmation from Israel regarding the death of the elusive figure, who has long been a top target on Israel’s most-wanted list.
Mohammad Sinwar ascended to a senior leadership position within Hamas in 2024, following the death of his brother Yahya, who was considered the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that ignited the ongoing war in Gaza.
Hamas has yet to independently confirm Mohammad Sinwar’s death. If confirmed, his demise would reportedly place his close associate, Izz al-Din Haddad, who currently oversees operations in northern Gaza, in charge of Hamas’s armed wing across the entire enclave.
The implications of Mohammad Sinwar’s death on the overall decision-making process within Hamas, particularly regarding ongoing ceasefire negotiations, remain unclear. It is uncertain whether his removal would empower or diminish the influence of exiled members of the group’s leadership council.
Hamas officials have previously described both Mohammad Sinwar and Haddad as “ghosts,” highlighting their ability to evade Israeli intelligence agencies for extended periods. Like his brother, Mohammad Sinwar had reportedly survived numerous Israeli assassination attempts, including airstrikes and sophisticated planted explosives. Hamas sources have recounted instances where explosives were discovered near his path or planted in his home, thwarting earlier attempts on his life.
Mohammad Sinwars role
Known for his involvement in clandestine operations, Mohammad Sinwar was believed to have played a central role in the planning and execution of the October 7, 2023, attack, which constituted Israel’s most significant security failure. He was also widely implicated in the 2006 cross-border attack and abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Shalit was held by Hamas for five years before being released in a prisoner swap that included the release of more than 1,000 Palestinians jailed by Israel, among them Yahya Sinwar.
(With Reuters Inputs)