- JERUSALEM — Israel's military has confirmed the killing of Mohammed Sinwar, a
senior Hamas commander and head of the group's military wing in Gaza, in an
airstrike earlier this month.
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- In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and
the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency said on Saturday that Sinwar was
killed on May 13 in a targeted strike on an underground command centre located
beneath the European Hospital in southern Gaza.
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- The military accused Hamas of using the medical facility as
cover, putting civilians at risk, Xinhua news agency reported.
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- Sinwar, 49, was described by the IDF as one of Hamas' most
senior and long-serving military leaders, with a key role in planning the
October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that ignited the current conflict.
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- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had disclosed Sinwar's
death earlier this week in a speech to the Israeli Parliament.
Also read: Israeli PM Netanyahu says Hamas leader in Gaza killed in Israeli airstrike
- The strike also killed two other senior Hamas commanders:
Muhammad Shabana, who led the group's Rafah brigade, and Mahdi Quara, head of
the Khan Younis battalion.
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- The IDF said both men were involved in the October 7 assault
and later directed attacks against Israeli troops, including the management of
hostages and rocket fire.
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- Gaza's health authorities previously said the strike killed
at least six people and wounded 40.
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- Hamas has not issued an official statement confirming
Sinwar's death.
Read more: Hamas says US ceasefire proposal under review, does not meet Palestinian demands
- Mohammed Sinwar was the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, the
former Hamas leader in Gaza, who was killed during a clash with the IDF in
October 2024.
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- Separately on Saturday, the IDF reported rocket fire from
Gaza, with several projectiles landing in open areas near the southern
communities of Ein Hashlosha and Nirim.
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- No casualties were reported, according to Israel's emergency
medical service, Magen David Adom.
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- Israeli media outlet Channel 12 said three rockets were
fired.
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- Gaza health officials said the death toll from Israel's
military campaign since October 7 has reached 54,381, with 124,054 wounded.
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- Since the resumption of hostilities on March 18, 4,117
people have been killed and 12,013 injured, the authorities said.
