Tensions continue to escalate in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a significant development on Wednesday.
Netanyahu confirmed that Mohammed Sinwar, the current Hamas chief in Gaza and one of Israel’s most wanted militants, has been eliminated.
This marks another major strike against Hamas leadership, following the earlier killing of Sinwar’s brother, Yahya Sinwar, last October.
Netanyahu’s Announcement to Parliament
Speaking to the Israeli parliament, Netanyahu didn’t hold back.
He declared, “We have eliminated Mohammed Deif, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammed Sinwar.”
These names are some of the highest-profile figures within Hamas, making this announcement a critical moment in Israel’s military efforts.
Israeli media had already reported that Mohammed Sinwar was targeted in airstrikes earlier this month in southern Gaza.
Details Behind Sinwar’s Death
Reports indicate that Sinwar was killed on May 13 after the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a heavy bombing campaign on a tunnel hideout located beneath a hospital in Gaza.
Defense Minister Israel Katz had previously told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that there were growing signs that Sinwar might be dead.
Mohammed Sinwar had taken over Hamas leadership after his brother Yahya was killed, and he was believed to be in control of the remaining 58 Israeli hostages, with around 21 reportedly still alive.
His death is a major blow to Hamas’ command structure.
The Story Behind Yahya Sinwar’s Assassination
Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed’s older brother and the former leader of Hamas, was assassinated last October during a fierce firefight with Israeli forces in Rafah, Gaza.
Yahya was widely recognized as the mastermind behind the deadly October 7 massacre.
During the operation to capture him, Israeli soldiers engaged in an intense hour-long battle with Hamas militants.
Yahya’s identity wasn’t immediately known, but when the fighting ended, the soldiers discovered his body inside a building that had been destroyed.
Notably, he had a makeshift tourniquet tied around his injured arm, showing the brutal nature of the encounter.
The exact details of who fired the fatal shot remain unclear.
Israeli forensic officials revealed that Yahya was shot in the head, and his identity was confirmed after soldiers cut off one of his fingers.
International Reactions and Hamas’ Resilience
The death of Yahya Sinwar prompted a response from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who called it a painful loss but vowed that Hamas and the wider “Axis of Resistance” would continue their struggle.
Khamenei described Yahya as a symbol of resistance who bravely stood against what he called an oppressive enemy and praised the impact of the October 7 attack.
“Hamas is alive and will remain alive,” Khamenei stated, emphasizing the group’s continued presence despite the loss of its leaders.
What’s Next in the Conflict
As the dust settles on these latest developments, the region remains on edge.
The elimination of both Sinwar brothers represents a significant moment in the Israeli campaign against Hamas, but the group’s survival and continued operations remain a complex challenge.
This story is developing rapidly, and more updates will follow as additional information becomes available.