The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the discovery and identification of Mohammed Sinwar's body, the military leader of Hamas in Gaza. According to recent reports, his remains were located in a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. The IDF verified the identity through DNA testing, although Hamas has yet to publicly confirm his death. Sinwar, aged 49, was reportedly killed during an air strike on May 13, which led to the deaths of 28 people and injured many others, according to the Hamas-run civil defense agency.
Sinwar's body was found alongside that of Mohammad Sabaneh, commander of Hamas's Rafah Brigade. The IDF reported that several personal items belonging to both Sinwar and Sabaneh were retrieved, along with additional intelligence that is currently under investigation. To affirm their findings, the IDF escorted a group of foreign journalists to Khan Younis to showcase the tunnel, publishing footage of its narrow corridors leading to different rooms, including the one where Sinwar's body was found.
Brigadier General Effie Defrin of the IDF criticized Hamas for allegedly using civilian infrastructure as a cover for its military operations. Israel has consistently accused Hamas of utilizing hospitals for weapon storage and command centers, a claim that Hamas has denied. The ongoing military campaign has raised serious international concerns, as repeated attacks on hospitals have left Gaza's healthcare system on the brink of collapse. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed alarm over the targeting of medical facilities, emphasizing the need for their protection under international humanitarian law.
Since the unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed, Israel launched extensive military actions in Gaza. The recent conflict has resulted in a staggering death toll, with at least 54,880 reported fatalities in the region, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. With the collapse of a ceasefire and hostage exchange arrangement, Israeli forces have reiterated their commitment to dismantling Hamas and recovering hostages, of which 54 still remain in captivity.
Mohammed Sinwar was a prominent figure in Hamas since its inception in the late 1980s, progressing to the position of commander of the Khan Younis Brigade by 2005. He was known to have ties with other leaders within the group and played a role in orchestrating the recent attacks. His brother, Yahya Sinwar, believed to have masterminded the October 7 strikes, was killed by Israeli forces the previous year. The situation in Gaza continues to evolve as military actions and humanitarian challenges persist.
