Hamas has officially confirmed the death of its Gaza military commander, Mohammad Sinwar, months after Israel claimed he was killed in a targeted strike.
The group released images of Sinwar alongside slain leaders, calling him a martyr but without giving details of his death. Leadership of Hamas&rsquo; armed wing is now expected to pass to Izz al-Din Haddad, who oversees operations in northern Gaza.
Sinwar, the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas Gaza chief and planner of the October 7 attacks, had served as the seventh leader of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades since July 2024. He played a central role in the 2006 abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was freed in a 2011 prisoner exchange that included Yahya Sinwar.
Throughout his career, Mohammad Sinwar survived several Israeli assassination attempts, including strikes in 2000, 2006, and 2008. During the 2014 Gaza war, Hamas even staged his death to mislead Israeli intelligence.
In May this year, Israel&rsquo;s military and Shin Bet conducted a precision strike in southern Gaza, deploying bunker-busting munitions against tunnels near the European hospital where he was believed to be hiding. Weeks later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Sinwar&rsquo;s elimination.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]

Hamas confirms death of Gaza commander Mohammad Sinwar months after Israeli strike

Hamas Confirms Gaza Chief Sinwar’s Death

Hamas confirms death of Gaza commander Mohammad Sinwar months after Israeli strike

August 31, 2025 | 14:48 IST