Muhammad Sinwar, a brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, was reportedly killed in a series of airstrikes carried out by Israel in Gaza. His body was found in one of the tunnels in Khan Younis, media reports said.
Yet another source, as quoted by The Times of Israel, reported that Muhammad Sinwar's brother, Zakaria Sinwar, had also been killed in an Israeli airstrike on Saturday evening. Ten of his aides' bodies were also reportedly recovered along with Muhammad Sinwar in the same tunnel.
If true, the death of Muhammad Sinwar would be a serious blow to Hamas following the death of Yahya Sinwar, who was killed during an Israeli air strike in southern Gaza last October. Yahya Sinwar was popularly known as the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023 attacks that escalated the ongoing Gaza war.
There were also reports that Hamas's military wing Rafah Brigade commander Mohammad Shabana was slain in the same attack.
The Tuesday Israeli airstrikes, which purportedly claimed Muhammad Sinwar's life, struck an underground command center under the European Hospital where he was thought to be operating.
Israel has not officially declared the fatalities of Muhammad Sinwar or Shabana, but Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed his belief that the younger Sinwar was killed in the Khan Younis tunnel attack. "There's no confirmation, but based on all the indications, Muhammad Sinwar was eliminated," Katz said to the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee.
The health ministry of Hamas, which is controlled by Hamas, said 16 were killed and 70 injured in the attacks, although it did not immediately verify whether Muhammad Sinwar was among the victims.
Israeli leaders have portrayed Muhammad Sinwar as the main roadblock in negotiations with Hamas for the release of hostages and ceasefire arrangements.
WHO WAS MUHAMMAD SINWAR?
Muhammad Sinwar is considered one of the most senior Hamas military commanders remaining active in Gaza following over eighteen months of heavy fighting with Israel.
In the course of the 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel, Muhammad Sinwar was commanding operations within Hamas's military wing. Following the passing of Yahya Sinwar, he took on an increased leadership role, particularly in southern Gaza.
During the war, Israel has repeatedly targeted the most senior Hamas leadership — Yahya Sinwar, military commander Muhammad Deif, political chief Ismail Haniyeh, and others — as a strategic move to break the group's chain of command.
Muhammad Sinwar was also wanted for his activities targeting Israel and had been a senior member of Hamas for years.
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