Netanyahu Confirms Hamas Gaza Chief Sinwar Killed in May 13 Airstrike

Rajneesh

Hamas Gaza Chief Mohammed Sinwar Killed in Israeli Airstrike, Confirms PM Netanyahu

Tel Aviv | May 29, 2025 —
In a pivotal development in the ongoing Middle East conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday that Hamas commander Mohammed Sinwar, a senior operational figure in Gaza, was eliminated in a targeted Israeli airstrike on May 13. The announcement is the first official acknowledgment from Israel regarding Sinwar’s death, following weeks of speculation and unverified reports.

Sinwar, the younger brother of Hamas political leader Yahya Sinwar, played a key role in orchestrating military operations from within Gaza, often described by Israeli intelligence as one of the organization’s “most strategic field operatives.”

Who Was Mohammed Sinwar?

Mohammed Sinwar was widely regarded as the military architect behind Hamas' underground warfare tactics and urban defensive strategies. While his older brother, Yahya, acted as the group's political face in Gaza, Mohammed served as the muscle, overseeing supply routes, drone deployments, and cross-border tunnel networks.

Known for his low profile yet high impact, he was often identified as the shadow commander keeping Hamas’s internal structure operational despite Israel’s continued assaults.

Sources within the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, described Sinwar as “extremely elusive,” often shifting locations every few hours, rarely using electronic communications, and operating in fortified urban bunkers beneath civilian infrastructure.

The Strike That Changed the Narrative

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the May 13 airstrike was carried out with “surgical precision” in Khan Younis, a southern stronghold of Hamas. The operation reportedly involved multi-tiered intelligence gathering, including aerial surveillance, signals intercepts, and ground-level informants embedded within the city’s densely populated zones.

“Mohammed Sinwar was directly responsible for dozens of terror attacks and was the operational brain behind Hamas' recent escalations,” said Netanyahu during a televised briefing from the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv. “His death is a major blow to the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza.”

The IDF has yet to release post-strike imagery or video footage but indicated that forensic verification of Sinwar’s identity was conducted using biometric samples and corroborated by multiple intelligence agencies.

Reactions from Hamas and the Region

As of this report, Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied Sinwar’s death, maintaining radio silence on its leadership casualties in recent weeks. However, Palestinian media outlets affiliated with the group have declared a three-day mourning period in parts of southern Gaza, hinting at internal acknowledgment of a loss.

Experts suggest Hamas may delay public acknowledgment to avoid triggering internal power struggles or morale dips among its fighters.

In Tehran and Beirut, Hezbollah-affiliated channels condemned the strike, with Iranian foreign ministry officials calling it “another act of state terrorism by the Zionist regime.” Meanwhile, Egypt and Qatar have reportedly intensified diplomatic backchannels aimed at preventing retaliatory escalation.

What This Means for the Gaza Conflict

The elimination of Mohammed Sinwar could mark a strategic turning point in the latest phase of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has surged in intensity since April. Israeli defense analysts view the move as a calculated effort to decapitate Hamas’ operational command structure, potentially paving the way for less coordinated militant resistance.

However, others warn that Sinwar’s death could trigger a new wave of revenge attacks, especially if confirmed publicly by Hamas.

“Hamas is unlikely to let this pass without retaliation. The question is whether it’ll be a local response or something broader across the region,” said Dr. Leora Mizrahi, senior fellow at the Middle East Security Institute.

International Community Reacts

The United Nations and European Union have called for restraint, reiterating that leadership strikes do not absolve Israel or Hamas from obligations under international law. Human rights groups have also expressed concern over civilian casualties during the strike, though the IDF insists that Sinwar was targeted with minimal collateral damage.

The U.S. State Department issued a measured statement supporting Israel’s right to defend itself while urging “all sides to prevent further escalation.”