CAIRO (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that Mohammed Sinwar, suspected to be the head of Hamas' armed wing, has been killed in a recent strike within the Gaza Strip. However, there has been no confirmation from Hamas regarding his death.

Mohammed Sinwar is the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader who orchestrated the October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Yahya was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024. The Israeli strikes have significantly weakened Hamas' leadership throughout the 19-month conflict, leaving Mohammed Sinwar as one of the last notable figures still alive in Gaza.

Despite these losses, Hamas continues to maintain its governance over areas of Gaza not captured by Israel. The group still holds numerous hostages and conducts sporadic assaults on Israeli troops. As Mohammed Sinwar was the commander of Hamas' armed wing, his involvement was critical for any potential agreement regarding hostage releases. His death could complicate ongoing U.S. and Arab efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. Israel has stated its intention to persist in the conflict until all hostages are returned, and Hamas is either defeated, disarmed, or exiled.

In a speech before the Israeli parliament, Netanyahu provided an account of Sinwar's killing while also naming other top Hamas leaders that had been executed during the conflict. “We have killed tens of thousands of terrorists. We killed Mohammed Deif, Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammed Sinwar,” he stated. Although Netanyahu did not give further details, Israeli media had previously reported that Mohammed Sinwar was targeted during a May 13 strike on what the military identified as a Hamas command center located beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, their hometown. The military has not confirmed whether Sinwar was specifically targeted in this operation.

Gaza's Health Ministry indicated that at least six individuals were killed and 40 others injured as a result of the strike.

Mohammed Sinwar was born in 1975 in the Khan Younis refugee camp, a location housing many Palestinians displaced during the 1948 war over Israel's establishment. His family was among the hundreds of thousands forcibly removed during this conflict. This demographic now comprises the majority of Gaza's population. Following the establishment of Hamas in the late 1980s, the younger Sinwar, like his brother, joined the group, specifically its military wing known as the Qassam Brigades.

Over the years, Sinwar ascended within the ranks to become part of the joint chiefs of staff, closely aligning himself with the group's commander, Mohammed Deif, who was killed in a strike the previous year. Sinwar was also involved in a significant 2006 cross-border offensive, which resulted in the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit, who was held for five years before being exchanged for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including Yahya Sinwar.

Three years ago, in an interview with Qatar’s Al Jazeera, Mohammed Sinwar stated that when Hamas threatens Israel, “we know how to specify the location that hurts the occupation and how to press them.” Previously, Hamas claimed that Sinwar was targeted by Israeli forces multiple times and was even presumed dead in 2014. He is believed to have been among a select group of top commanders who were aware of the planned October 7 attack in advance.

In December 2023, the Israeli military released footage purportedly showing Mohammed Sinwar sitting beside a driver in a car as it moved within a tunnel in Gaza. This was one of the few public images featuring him, although Hamas did not confirm its authenticity.

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Samy Magdy And Bassem Mroue, The Associated Press

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