Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar and his son killed in Israel's Gaza strikes: Report
Muhammad Sinwar, the younger brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, has been killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and his body was found in a tunnel in Khan Younis, according to reports.A separate report also claimed that Muhammad Sinwar's brother, Zakaria Sinwar, was also killed in an Israeli airstrike on Saturday night, The Times of Israel reported. According to reports, the bodies of Muhammad Sinwar's 10 aides were found with him in the tunnel.advertisementIf Muhammad Sinwar's death is confirmed, it would mark a body blow for Hamas following the death of former leader Yahya Sinwar in an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza in October last year. Yahya Sinwar was widely seen as the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, attacks that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.There were also reports that Mohammad Shabana, the commander of the Rafah Brigade in Hamas's military wing, was also killed in the strike.The Israeli strikes which reportedly killed Muhammad Sinwar on Tuesday hit an underground command compound below the European Hospital, where he was believed to have been living.Israel is yet to confirm the deaths of either Muhammad Sinwar or Shabana but Defence Minister Israel Katz believes the younger Sinwar was killed in the strike on the Khan Younis tunnel complex.advertisement"There's no official confirmation, but according to all the indications, Muhammad Sinwar was eliminated," Katz told the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee.According to the Hamas-run health ministry, 16 people were dead and 70 others were injured in the strikes, although there was no immediate confirmation if Muhammad Sinwar was among the casualties.Israeli officials have called Muhammad Sinwar an obstacle with regard to the negotiations with Hamas for the release of hostages and reaching a ceasefire deal.WHO WAS MUHAMMAD SINWAR?Muhammad Sinwar is considered one of the most senior Hamas military commanders remaining in Gaza after over a year and a half of intense conflict with Israel.At the time of the 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas, Muhammad Sinwar was heading operations in Hamas's military wing. Following Yahya Sinwar's death, he stepped into a more prominent leadership role, particularly in southern Gaza.Throughout the war, Israel has systematically targeted Hamas's top leadership, including Yahya Sinwar, military chief Muhammad Deif, political leader Ismail Haniyeh, and several others, in a concerted effort to dismantle the group's command structure.Muhammad Sinwar was also wanted for his actions against Israel and had been active in Hamas for many decades.
IN THIS STORY#Israel#Gaza Strip
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