[MIDDLE EAST] On May 13, 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in coordination with Shin Bet, launched an airstrike targeting Mohammed Sinwar, the head of Hamas' military wing, in a bunker beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. The strike resulted in at least 16 fatalities and 70 injuries, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. While the IDF confirmed Sinwar was the intended target, his current status remains unconfirmed.
In the hours following the strike, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that the operation was based on "precise and corroborated intelligence" that placed Sinwar inside the hospital’s underground complex. He emphasized that the hospital was being used as a command center by Hamas, a claim that Hamas officials have denied, labeling the allegations as part of a broader Israeli misinformation campaign aimed at justifying attacks on civilian infrastructure. Independent verification of either side’s claims remains difficult due to limited access for international observers.
Satellite imagery released by private intelligence firms shows extensive structural damage to the hospital compound, with large sections of the southern wing reportedly collapsed. Medical personnel on the ground, including staff from Médecins Sans Frontières, have described a chaotic scene in the aftermath of the bombing, with emergency surgeries being performed in hallways and supplies rapidly depleting. The World Health Organization has since called for an immediate ceasefire to allow the evacuation of the wounded and restoration of essential medical services.
Mohammed Sinwar, the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar—who was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024—has risen to prominence within Hamas. Since his brother's death, Mohammed has taken on a significant role in the organization's military operations, overseeing recruitment and orchestrating attacks against Israeli forces.
Security analysts suggest Mohammed Sinwar has maintained a lower public profile than his brother but has been instrumental in shaping Hamas's tactical shift toward asymmetrical warfare, particularly through the use of tunnel networks and improvised drone attacks. U.S. officials have noted that Mohammed's leadership style appears more militant and less politically inclined than Yahya’s, making diplomatic channels even more limited. The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly shared intelligence with Israel in recent months to track Sinwar’s movements.
Details of the Airstrike
The IDF's airstrike targeted a bunker located beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, a facility that has been previously used by Hamas for military purposes. Israeli officials indicated that intelligence suggested Sinwar's presence at the site at the time of the strike. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the attack resulted in at least 16 deaths and 70 injuries, though the exact number of casualties remains unverified.
International Reactions
The airstrike has drawn widespread international condemnation. French President Emmanuel Macron described the attack as "shameful" and called for increased sanctions against Israel. UN relief coordinator Tom Fletcher accused Israel of imposing inhumane conditions in Gaza and urged the Security Council to intervene to prevent further escalation.
In the United States, President Donald Trump has emphasized the need for renewed peace talks and the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza, where severe starvation looms due to Israel’s prolonged blockade.
Meanwhile, regional actors have begun to mobilize diplomatically. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has called for an emergency summit with leaders from Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to de-escalate the situation and broker a new ceasefire agreement. The summit, scheduled for later this week in Cairo, is expected to include indirect negotiations between Israeli and Hamas representatives through Qatari intermediaries. Iran has also weighed in, pledging continued support for Palestinian resistance groups and accusing Israel of committing war crimes.
Implications for the Conflict
The targeting of Mohammed Sinwar represents a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. If Sinwar has been killed, it could deal a substantial blow to Hamas's military leadership. However, given the organization's decentralized structure, it remains to be seen how this will affect Hamas's operational capabilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will not halt its military operations in Gaza until Hamas is entirely defeated, even if additional hostages are released. His remarks come amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations and shortly after Hamas released Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander.
The airstrike on the European Hospital in Khan Yunis underscores the ongoing intensity of the Israel-Hamas conflict. As both military operations and diplomatic efforts continue, the international community remains divided on the appropriate response to the unfolding situation. The fate of Mohammed Sinwar, if confirmed, could have significant implications for the future trajectory of the conflict.
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