Muhammad Sinwar, Hamas’ leader in Gaza, was reportedly killed last week in an Israeli airstrike, according to multiple reports.
His body was discovered in a tunnel in Khan Younis, alongside several aides, following a series of intense Israeli operations in the southern Gaza Strip.
Israeli officials have not issued formal confirmation of Sinwar’s death, but Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz told lawmakers in a closed-door meeting that “based on all indications, Muhammad Sinwar was killed.” His remarks were backed by increasing speculation from Israeli media and military briefings that the Hamas leader died during targeted airstrikes on tunnel networks beneath Gaza hospitals.
Sinwar had assumed leadership of Hamas in Gaza after the death of his brother Yahya Sinwar in October 2024. Another brother, Zakaria Sinwar, was reportedly killed in an airstrike just this past Saturday, making Muhammad the third member of the Sinwar family to die in Israel’s campaign against the terror group.
Saudi news outlet Al-Hadath reported that Sinwar’s body was located in a tunnel along with the remains of ten Hamas operatives. The report also stated that Mohammed Shabana, commander of the Rafah Brigade, was killed in the same operation. The tunnel strikes were part of a broader offensive that included Israeli troops advancing in multiple areas of the Gaza Strip and taking control of key strategic points, including hospitals used by Hamas to shield military assets.
One such hospital was the Indonesian facility in Beit Lahia. According to reports from the Hamas-run health ministry, the hospital was overtaken by Israeli forces, cutting off access for patients and medical personnel. Separately, another strike reportedly killed 28 individuals, although that figure came from Hamas-linked sources and has not been independently verified.
The military activity coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Peace talks resumed in Qatar over the weekend, and Hamas reportedly offered to release nine hostages in exchange for a 60-day cease-fire.
While negotiations are ongoing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for an expanded military campaign after his security cabinet approved new measures aimed at achieving total victory over Hamas.
The Israel Defense Forces announced Friday that it had begun a new wave of strikes and was mobilizing troops to achieve full operational control in Gaza. The IDF stated on X, that these actions are intended to dismantle Hamas and bring home Israeli hostages taken during the October 2023 attacks.
As fighting continues, Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported that over 150 people were killed and nearly 460 injured in the past 24 hours alone. The humanitarian toll has prompted international concern, with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres describing the conditions in Gaza as “beyond inhumane.”
Despite mounting pressure from international observers, Israel’s military efforts show no signs of slowing, and the reported death of Muhammad Sinwar marks a potential turning point in the campaign to eliminate Hamas leadership from the Gaza Strip.