Israel launched a powerful airstrike targeting Mohammed Sinwar, the brother of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The Israeli military struck a hospital in Khan Younis on May 13, killing at least six people. While it is not yet confirmed whether Mohammed Sinwar was among the dead, Israeli sources suggest he was the main target.
Mohammed Sinwar is believed to have taken over leadership of Hamas after his brother Yahya was killed in an Israeli operation last October. Military and intelligence sources say he is just as extreme as his brother but more strategic and calculated.
The recent strike was reportedly carried out with a heavy-duty “bunker buster” bomb, indicating that Sinwar was possibly hiding in a fortified underground location. After the first attack, Israeli forces hit the area again to block any evacuation efforts. According to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, the operation was based on a sudden opportunity, leaving no time to coordinate with allies or consider the timing of US President Donald Trump's ongoing speech in Riyadh.
Following the hospital strike, Israel also issued evacuation orders for the Jabalya refugee camp and nearby areas in northern Gaza, raising concerns of a wider military operation.
Video footage from the strike zone showed massive clouds of smoke and dust rising over the ruins, with some reports calling it one of the most intense attacks in recent weeks. The scale and speed of the operation hint at the high value placed on Sinwar as a target.
Israeli officials have long accused Hamas of using hospitals and other civilian areas for militant activity. In a statement, the military criticized the group's "brutal" use of civilians as shields.
Meanwhile, diplomatic sources say Sinwar’s removal could help restart stalled negotiations. “He was the toughest figure when it came to talks,” said one Israeli official. “If he's gone, we might have a real chance at reaching a deal.”
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