Hamas Commander Muhammad Sinwar Killed in Gaza Tunnel Airstrike, Say Reports

Gaza City, May 18, 2025 — Muhammad Sinwar, the senior Hamas leader and younger brother of slain commander Yahya Sinwar, has reportedly been found dead in a Gaza tunnel targeted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) last week. According to regional media sources, including Saudi-based Al-Hadath, his body was recovered along with the remains of 10 of his close aides.

The tunnel, located beneath the grounds of the European Hospital in Khan Younis, was struck during a high-precision airstrike conducted by Israeli forces amid their ongoing military campaign against Hamas infrastructure in southern Gaza.

While Israel has not officially confirmed the death of Muhammad Sinwar, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in a closed-door session with parliamentarians, stated:

“Based on all indications, Mohammed Sinwar was killed in a strike carried out on the grounds of the European Hospital in Khan Younis.”

The strike also reportedly claimed the life of Mohammad Shabana, commander of the Rafah Brigade in Hamas’s military wing, signaling a major blow to the group’s operational leadership.

Who Was Muhammad Sinwar?

Born in 1975 in the Khan Younis refugee camp, Muhammad Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar was one of Hamas’s most elusive and strategic leaders. Known as “The Shadow” by Israeli intelligence for his covert operations and reclusive nature, Sinwar rose to power through decades of militant activism and internal loyalty within the organization.

He played a significant role in the infamous 2006 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, which led to a controversial prisoner exchange in 2011 involving over 1,000 Palestinian detainees.

Following the death of his elder brother, Yahya Sinwar, in October 2024 during an Israeli firefight in Rafah, Muhammad assumed control of both the political and military wings of Hamas in Gaza. His leadership was marked by intensified recruitment efforts and escalated armed operations against Israeli targets, even under sustained IDF pressure.

Yahya Sinwar’s Death and Muhammad’s Rise

Yahya Sinwar, one of Hamas’s most feared commanders and a key planner behind the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, was killed in a firefight on October 16, 2024. His death was confirmed through DNA and dental records.

Following Yahya’s death, Muhammad Sinwar took over, continuing Hamas’s hardline stance against Israel while attempting to navigate internal power struggles and the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Yahya Sinwar’s elimination as a “critical blow” to Hamas, but warned that the military campaign would continue with full intensity.

A Major Blow to Hamas

The reported death of Muhammad Sinwar marks a significant turning point in Israel’s ongoing military operations. With both Sinwar brothers now eliminated, Hamas faces a major leadership vacuum in Gaza.

Though Hamas has not yet officially acknowledged Muhammad’s death, internal sources suggest the organization is already grappling with succession planning amid relentless IDF operations targeting tunnels, weapons caches, and command centers.

As the Gaza conflict enters another brutal phase, the loss of high-ranking commanders like Muhammad Sinwar is likely to have deep strategic implications for Hamas’s operational capabilities and morale.

The death of Muhammad Sinwar, if confirmed, would represent another milestone in Israel’s stated objective to dismantle Hamas’s leadership structure. As tensions continue to rise, the world watches closely for the next chapter in the ongoing Gaza-Israel conflict.