Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Israeli forces killed Mohammad Sinwar, the new head of Hamas in Gaza. Hamas has not yet confirmed his death.
On Wednesday, May 28, Netanyahu made the statement during a session at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. The international news agency Reuters reported the announcement.
According to the report, Mohammad Sinwar is the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar. Yahya was a top Hamas leader and was involved in the October 2023 attack on Israel. After Yahya died in an Israeli strike in Rafah in October 2024, Mohammad took over as Hamas’s new leader in Gaza.
Netanyahu said that Israeli forces targeted Mohammad Sinwar earlier this month. The attack took place in a hospital in southern Gaza, where they believed he was hiding.
Back on May 21, Netanyahu had hinted that Mohammad Sinwar was likely dead. Now, speaking in the Knesset, he said that Sinwar was indeed killed. “In the last two days, we have seen a dramatic turn towards Hamas’s full defeat,” he added.
Reuters also reported that Netanyahu said Israel is now taking control of aid distribution in Gaza. He mentioned a new relief system led by a U.S.-supported group. This group is now handling food aid for people in Gaza.
The timing of this claim is important. Israeli attacks in Gaza have grown more intense recently. After a short truce earlier this year, Israel resumed heavy air and ground attacks on March 18.
Netanyahu repeated Israel’s main goal in Gaza: to destroy Hamas’s rule and power, and to free the hostages taken on October 7, 2023.
That day, Hamas fighters crossed into Israel and killed around 1,200 people. They also took more than 250 hostages back into Gaza. In response, Israel launched a full-scale war in Gaza within hours.
Since then, Gaza has been hit hard. Airstrikes and fighting have left much of the area in ruins.
The local health ministry in Gaza says that more than 54,000 people have been killed. Most of the victims are civilians, including many women and children. Over 2 million people have lost their homes.
However, the health officials in Gaza did not say how many of the dead were Hamas fighters. Israel, on the other hand, claims it has killed tens of thousands of Hamas fighters. But Israel has not shown proof to back up this number.
The war continues to take a heavy toll. Basic needs like food, water, and medicine are running low. Many aid groups have warned of a growing crisis in the area.
The new claim about Mohammad Sinwar’s death, if confirmed, could mark a major blow to Hamas. But without a response from Hamas, many questions remain.
As the conflict continues, international calls for peace are growing. But for now, both sides are showing no signs of stopping the war.
Israel says its fight will continue until all hostages are freed and Hamas is defeated. Hamas, meanwhile, says it is fighting to end the occupation and defend Palestinian rights.
In this deadly fight, it is the people of Gaza who are suffering the most. With tens of thousands already dead and millions displaced, the human cost keeps rising.
Whether or not Mohammad Sinwar is truly dead, the war shows no signs of ending soon. The region remains on edge as both sides prepare for more battles ahead.
