Image Credentials: Image Title: Israel Claims Hamas Gaza Chief Mohammed Sinwar Killed in Strike on Khan Younis Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: May 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer with Agencies | May 28, 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed the death of Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas’s Gaza chief, who was reportedly killed in a targeted strike by the Israeli military on May 13. Sinwar, one of the most wanted men in Gaza and the brother of Hamas’s late leader Yahya Sinwar, was allegedly eliminated during an airstrike on the European Hospital in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza.
Netanyahu announced during a special parliamentary debate convened to address the government’s handling of the ongoing conflict, particularly its failure to meet key objectives like the return of hostages and the defeat of Hamas. According to Netanyahu, the strike that killed Mohammed Sinwar targeted a Hamas command-and-control center embedded beneath the hospital, a site Israel claimed was integral to Hamas’s underground infrastructure.
The airstrike reportedly killed 28 people, though Hamas itself has yet to officially confirm Sinwar’s death. The hospital, which was out of service due to the attack, had not been issued an evacuation order by Israeli forces before the bombing. CCTV footage of the explosion shows a chaotic scene, with men, women, and children in the vicinity just before the blast engulfed the area, leaving a large crater in its wake.
BIG BREAKING 🚨
Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas Gaza chief, KILLED — Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu confirms.
Peace coming or more war on the way? Let’s talk 👇 pic.twitter.com/DHktZIE405
— Manni (@ThadhaniManish_) May 28, 2025
Sinwar’s death marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. He was a long-time member of the militant group, having joined shortly after Hamas’s founding in the late 1980s. Sinwar was deeply involved in Hamas’s military wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, and rose through the ranks to become the commander of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade by 2005. He was believed to have played a role in the 2006 cross-border attack that resulted in the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was released after five years in captivity in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Sinwar’s rise to power also made him a key figure in the planning of Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which led to the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 251 more. This attack sparked Israel’s current military campaign in Gaza, now entering its 600th day.
Despite the Israeli military’s claims of Sinwar’s death, independent verification of the incident remains difficult. Western intelligence agencies, as well as analysts, have long warned about the reliability of information coming from Russian and Israeli state-controlled media outlets, which often exaggerate military successes for domestic and international political gain.
The Gaza Strip has borne the brunt of the conflict, with Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders and infrastructure, while Hamas continues its use of tunnels, drones, and rocket fire against Israeli civilians. The ongoing siege of Gaza has resulted in significant casualties, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting at least 54,084 deaths since the start of the conflict.
While the news of Sinwar’s death was celebrated by Israeli officials, the humanitarian toll of the conflict remains staggering. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the killings of civilians, highlighting that Israel, despite its security concerns, is bound by international law to minimize harm to civilian populations during military operations. The Israeli military’s strategy, including its targeted strikes on infrastructure, has raised serious questions about the ethics and legality of the ongoing operation.
Israel’s efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas also remain a critical aspect of the conflict. Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed that of the 58 hostages currently held, 20 are confirmed to be alive, while the fate of up to 38 others is uncertain. Recent reports suggest that one of the hostages, Israeli-American Edan Alexander, was freed by Hamas in what was described as a goodwill gesture to U.S. President Donald Trump, who is mediating new ceasefire talks.
In response to criticism that Israel’s military strategy has not led to a decisive victory, Netanyahu pointed to what he described as a “dramatic shift” in Israel’s approach to the war. He noted that Israel had taken control of food distribution in Gaza, bypassing the United Nations and working through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a system backed by U.S. security contractors. This controversial system, however, has been criticized for undermining international humanitarian principles.
Despite these developments, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing the families of those taken captive during the October 7 attack, urged Netanyahu to focus on a comprehensive victory—one that ensures the safe return of all hostages and the restoration of Israeli society in the aftermath of the prolonged conflict.
The fate of Mohammed Sinwar may represent a symbolic victory for Israel in its fight against Hamas. However, for the many families who continue to wait for the return of their loved ones, the war is far from over.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.