Reuters reported that on May 28, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Hamas leader Mohammad Sinwar in the Gaza Strip had been killed. Mohammad Sinwar is the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, who was also a Hamas leader and was killed last year.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said Mohammad Sinwar had been an airstrike target of the Israeli army since the beginning of the month. The information about Sinwar's death was actually revealed by Mr. Netanyahu on May 21, but it was not confirmed until May 28.
Speaking to the Israeli parliament, Netanyahu, in addition to Sinwar, listed many other Hamas leaders who have been killed in the past 20 months.
Hamas has not yet confirmed Mohammad Sinwar's death.
Mohammad Sinwar was promoted to the rank of Hamas leader last year, after his brother Yahya was killed by Israel in a clash with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Meanwhile, Yahya Sinwar is believed to be the mastermind of the October 7, 2023 attack that caused the war to break out and has lasted for 20 months. After the death of predecessor Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, Yahya became the head of the organization.
Netanyahu's statement comes as the Israeli military intensifies its military campaign in Gaza, following it broke a fragile ceasefire with Hamas in March. Israel affirmed that the goal is to destroy Hamas' operational and military capabilities, as well as ensure the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen crossed Gaza, launching a fierce attack on communities in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people - mostly civilians.
More than 250 other Israelis were taken hostage and taken to Gaza.
Israel's response has devastated the Gaza Strip, killing more than 53,000 people, according to local health officials, and forcing more than 2 million Palestinians to flee their homes.
Gaza health officials said the majority of the dead were civilians, but did not specify the number of gunmen. Israel believes it has killed tens of thousands of armed units, but has not provided evidence.
