'Martyr': Hamas confirms death of its top military commander Mohammad Sinwar; close aide to assume leadership next

Hamas on Saturday confirmed the death of its Gaza military chief, Mohammad Sinwar, months after Israel reported killing him in a May airstrike. The group released photos of Sinwar alongside other leaders, hailing them as “martyrs,” but did not disclose details about the circumstances of his death.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet had announced in June that Sinwar’s body was found in a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis , southern Gaza. Israel said he was killed on May 13 in a joint IDF-ISA operation.

“His body was found beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis—more proof of how Sinwar, and Hamas, hide behind their civilians and purposely embed themselves in civilian areas, such as hospitals,” the IDF wrote on X, adding: “He died the way he lived—underground.”

Mohammad Sinwar, the younger brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, played a central role in the group’s command structure. He was accused of obstructing hostage negotiations and blocking ceasefire efforts.

After the killing of top military commander Muhammad Deif in July 2024, Sinwar assumed leadership of Hamas’s military operations. When Yahya Sinwar was killed in combat in October 2024, Mohammad rose further, becoming Hamas’s leader in Gaza.

Sinwar’s death leaves a vacuum in Hamas’s top ranks. According to Reuters, his close aide, Izz al-Din Haddad—currently in charge of operations in northern Gaza—is expected to take over the group’s armed wing across the enclave.

With the deaths of key leaders including Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, and Muhammad Deif in the past year, Hamas faces its most severe leadership crisis since the start of the Gaza war.