By Emmanuel Dominic 
Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas Commander, Dies in Israeli Air Strike
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed the death of Mohammed Sinwar, the de facto Hamas leader in Gaza, following an Israeli airstrike on May 13, 2025. The strike targeted a Hamas command center located beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Sinwar, known by his nom de guerre “The Shadow,” was a senior commander in Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and had succeeded his brother, Yahya Sinwar, as the leader of Hamas in Gaza after Yahya’s death in October 2024.
Mohammed Sinwar had been a prominent figure within Hamas, with involvement in significant operations, including the 2006 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. His death is considered a substantial blow to Hamas’ leadership structure, potentially leading to internal power struggles within the organization. The airstrike that killed Sinwar also resulted in the deaths of 28 individuals, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense. The World Health Organization reported that the European Hospital is now inaccessible following the strike, contributing to the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where over 90% of health services are partially or completely inoperable.
While Israeli officials view Sinwar’s elimination as a significant achievement, analysts caution that it does not signify the end of Hamas. The organization has suffered heavy losses in its leadership, but the conflict continues, with ongoing hostilities exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
