Did Hamas Confirm the Death of Gaza Chief Mohammad Sinwar?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Hamas has officially confirmed the death of its military commander, Mohammad Sinwar.
- Izz al-Din Haddad is set to lead Hamas' armed wing moving forward.
- Sinwar played a crucial role in significant military operations.
- He survived multiple assassination attempts throughout his career.
- His death could influence future strategies within Hamas.
Jerusalem, Aug 31 (NationPress) In a significant development, the Palestinian militant organization Hamas has officially acknowledged the death of its military leader in Gaza, Mohammad Sinwar. This announcement comes months after Israel claimed that Sinwar was killed in a targeted operation.
Following Israel's declaration in May that Sinwar had perished in a focused strike, Hamas has chosen not to disclose intricate details regarding the circumstances surrounding his demise, although they did release images of Sinwar alongside other deceased leaders, labeling him as a "martyr".
In the aftermath of his passing, the leadership of Hamas' armed faction is anticipated to transition to Izz al-Din Haddad, who currently manages operations in northern Gaza.
Mohammad Sinwar was notably the younger sibling of Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas chief in Gaza and a key planner of the October 7 attacks on southern Israel.
In addition to his role as Gaza's military commander, he had been serving as the seventh leader of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades since July 2024.
Yahya Sinwar was killed in 2024 during an Israeli military operation in Gaza, which significantly enhanced his profile within Hamas.
Throughout his career, Mohammad Sinwar was recognized as a pivotal figure in Hamas' militant activities, having played an essential role in the 2006 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Shalit was held hostage until 2011, when he was released in a prisoner swap that included the release of Yahya Sinwar.
Over the years, Mohammad Sinwar survived numerous assassination attempts, primarily orchestrated by Israel. His first targeting occurred in 2000 during the Second Intifada, followed by attempts in 2006 and 2008.
During the 2014 Gaza conflict, Hamas even faked his death to obscure his location. For years, Israeli intelligence operated under the assumption that he had been killed until they eventually discovered evidence proving otherwise.
Earlier this May, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet executed a precision strike in southern Gaza, specifically aimed at Sinwar.
Reports indicated that bunker-busting munitions were used to eliminate underground exits beneath the European hospital, where Sinwar was believed to be sheltering.
Weeks following the strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly asserted that Sinwar had indeed been neutralized.
In his announcement, Netanyahu stated, "We eliminated tens of thousands of terrorists, Mohammad Deif, Hassan Nasrallah, Yahya Sinwar."