Israeli army confirms killing of Hamas leader in Gaza, 2 senior commanders

• 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.   
•  
  
• 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.
•  
  
• The military accused Hamas of using the medical facility as cover, putting civilians at risk, Xinhua news agency reported.
•  
  
• 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.
•  
  
• 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.
•  
  
• 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.
•  
  
• Gaza's health authorities previously said the strike killed at least six people and wounded 40.
•  
  
• 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.
•  
  
• 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.
•  
  
• No casualties were reported, according to Israel's emergency medical service, Magen David Adom.
•  
  
• Israeli media outlet Channel 12 said three rockets were fired.
•  
  
• Gaza health officials said the death toll from Israel's military campaign since October 7 has reached 54,381, with 124,054 wounded.
•  
  
• Since the resumption of hostilities on March 18, 4,117 people have been killed and 12,013 injured, the authorities said.